FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


pivtrioa      O^-O 


. 


A    COLLECTION 


OF 


PSALMS  AND  HYMNS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Calvin  College 


http://www.archive.org/details/collectionofpsalOOeddo 


'  ^  JUL  17 1936  ' 


COLLECTIO 


oemi  sn^ 


OF 


PSALMS  AND  HYMNS, 


FROM 


WATTS,  DODDRIDGE,  AND  OTHERS. 


God  is  the  King  of  all  the  earth ;  sing  ye  praises  with  understanding. 


FOURTH  EDITION. 
WITH    AN    APPENDIX, 


PHILADELPHIA : 

R.  AND  R.  BERESFORD,  PRINTERS, 

1846. 


CONTENTS. 


Index  of  First  Lines. 

Part  I.  Christian  Worship,  and  the  Lord's  Day. 
II.  Praise  to  God. 

III.  The  Works  of  God  Celebrated. 

IV.  Perfections  of  God. 

V.  .Government  and  Providence  of  God. 
VI.  Thanksgiving. 
VII.  Divine  Revelation. 
VIII.  Christ  and  Christianity. 
IX.  Penitential. 

X.  Devout  Affections  and  Good  Resolutions. 
XI.  Motives  to  a  Virtuous  Conduct. 
XII.  The  Christian  Character. 

XIII.  Afflictions  and  Changes  of  Life. 

XIV.  Life,  Death,  Judgment,  and  a  Future  State. 
XV.  Particular  Occasions. 

XVI.  Domestic  and  Private  Worship. 
Appendix. 

a*  t 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Absurd  and  vain  attempt  to  bind, 
Affliction  is  a  stormy  deep, 
Again  our  weekly  labours  end,    . 
Again  the  Lord  of  life  and  light, 
Ah,  why  should  this  mistaken  mind, 
Ah,  wretched  souls,  who  strive  in  vain, 
All  earthly  bharms,  however  dear, 
All  nature  dies  and  lives  again,  . 
All  nature  feels  attractive  power, 
All-powerful,  self-existent  God, 
All-seeing  God,  'tis  thine  to  know, 
Almighty  Father,  gracious  Lord, 
Almighty  Father  of  mankind, 
Almighty  goodness,  power  divine, 
Almighty  maker,  God,    . 
Almighty  maker,  Lord  of  all, 
Almighty  refuge  of  my  soul, 
Amazing,  beauteous  change ! 
Amidst  a  world  of  hopes  and  fears, 
Amidst  the  heavenly  powers  sublime, 
Among  the  princes,  earthly  gods, 
And  art  thou  with  us,  gracious  Lord, 
And  can  my  heart  aspire  so  high, 
And  is  the  gospel  peace  and  love  1 
And  will  the  great  eternal  God, 
And  will  the  eternal  King, 
And  will  the  Majesty  of  heaven, 
Angel,  roll  the  rock  away  ; 
Are  not  thy  mercies  sovereign  still, 
Arise,  ye  people,  clap  the  hand, 

vii 


HYMN 

371 
568 
25 
31 
399 
388 
319 
464 
362 
107 
372 
173 
585 
69 
71 
300 
294 
257 
307 
103 
38 
162 
419 
234 
489 
314 
156 
244 
308 
49 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Assist  us,  Lord,  thy  name  to  praise, 
Attend,  my  soul,  the  voice  divine, 
Attend,  my  soul,  with  reverent  awe, 
Author  of  good,  we  rest  on  thee; 
Awake,  my  drowsy  soul,  awake, 
Awake,  my  soul,  awake  my  tongue, 
Awake,  my  soul,  lift  up  thine  eyes, 
Awake,  my  soul,  rouse  every  power, 
Awake,  my  soul,  stretch  every  nerve, 
Awake,  our  souls,  away  our  fears, 
Awake,  ye  saints,  to  praise  your  King, 
A  wounded  conscience,  what  a  foe  ! 

Be  every  vale  exalted  high, 
Be  thou  exalted,  O  my  God, 
Before  Jehovah's  awful  throne, 
Begin,  my  soul,  the  exalted  lay, 
Begin,  my  soul,  the  lofty  strain, 
Behold,  he  comes  !  jrour  leader  comes, 
Behold  the  amazing  sight, 
Behold  that  wise,  that  perfect  law, 
Behold  the  gloomy  vale, 
Behold,  the  grace  appears, 
Behold  the  lofty  sky, 
Behold  the  morning  sun, 
Behold  the  path  that  mortals  tread, 
Behold  the  prince  of  peace, 
Behold  where,  breathing  love  divine, 
Behold  where  in  a  mortal  form, 
Beset  with  snares  on  every  hand, 
Beyond  the  bounds  of  time  and  space, 
Beyond  the  limits  of  the  sky, 
Blessed  are  the  souls  that  hear  and  know, 
Blessed  be  the  everlasting  God, 
Blessed  hour,  when  virtuous  friends  shall  meet, 
Blessed  Instructor,  from  thy  ways, 
Blessed  is  the  man  whose  heart  is  kind 
Blessed  is  the  nation  where  the  Lord, 
Bless,  O  my  soul,  the  living  God, 
Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow, 
Bright  Source  of  intellectual  rays, 

viii 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Can  creatures  to  perfection  find, 
Celestial  worlds,  your  Maker's  name, 
Children,  in  years  and  knowledge  young, 
Christ  the  Lord  is  risen  to-day, 
Christians,  awake,  and  raise  your  eyes 
Christians,  dismiss  your  fear,     . 
Come  hither,  all  ye  weary  souls, 
Come  let  us  search  our  ways  and  try, 
Come  pay  the  worship  God  requires, 
Come,  said  Jesus'  sacred  voice, 
Come  sound  his  praise  abroad, 
Come  to  the  house  of  prayer, 
Come  ye  who  love  the  Lord, 
Consider  all  my  sorrows,  Lord, 
Courage,  my  soul,  while  God  is  near, 

Daughters  of  pity,  tune  the  lay, 
Diseases  are  thy  servants,  Lord, 

Enough  of  life's  vain  scene  I've  trod, 
Eternal  and  immortal  King, 
Eternal  God,  almighty  Causer    . 
Eternal  God,  how  frail  is  man,   . 
Eternal  God,  our  humbled  souls, 
Eternal  Power,  whose  high  abode, 
Eternal  Sire,  enthroned  on  high, 
Eternal  Source  of  every  joy, 
Eternal  Source  of  joys  divine,     . 
Eternal  Source  of  life  and  light, 
Eternal  Source  of  life  and  thought, 
Exulting,  rejoicing,  hail  the  happy  morning, 


Faith  adds  new  charms  to  earthly  bliss, 
Far  from  mortal  cares  retreating, 
Far  from  these  narrow  scenes  of  night, 
Far  from  the  world,  0  Lord,  I  flee, 
Far  from  thy  servants,  God  of  grace, 
Far  hence  each  superstition  vain, 
Father  divine,  before  thy  view, 
Father  divine,  the  Saviour  cried, 
Father  divine,  thy  piercing  eye, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Father  of  all,  eternal  Mind, 

Father  of  all,  my  soul  defend, 

Father  of  all,  omniscient  Mind, 

Father  of  all,  whose  cares  extend, 

Father  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord, 

Father  of  lights,  we  sing  thy  name, 

Father  of  men,  thy  care  we  bless, 

Father  of  mercies,  God  of  love, 

Father  of  mercies,  in  thy  word, 

Father  of  our  feeble  race, 

Firm  was  my  health,  my  day  was  bright, 

For  ever  blessed  be  the  Lord, 

Forsake,  my  soul,  the  tents  of  sin  ; 

Frequent  the  day  of  God  returns, 

From  all  that  dwell  below  the  skies, 

From  Christ,  my  Lord,  shall  I  depart, 

From  every  thought  and  wish  impure, 

From  north  and  south,  from  east  and  west, 

From  the  table  now  retiring, 

From  this  world's  joys  and  senseless  mirth, 


Give  me  the  wings  of  faith,  to  rise 
Give  thanks  to  God  most  high, 
Give  thanks  to  God  the  Lord, 
Give  to  our  God  immortal  praise, 
Give  to  the  Lord,  ye  sons  of  fame, 
Glory  be  to  God  on  high — hallelujah 
Glory  to  God  on  high  be  given, 
Glory  to  our  heavenly  Kino-, 
God  is  a  King  of  power  unknown, 
God  is  a  name  my  soul  adores, 
God  is  a  spirit,  just  and  wise,     . 
God  is  the  refuge  of  his  saints, 
God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
God  my  supporter  and  my  hope, 
God  of  eternity,  from  thee, 
God  of  mercy,  God  of  love, 
God  of  my  childhood  and  my  youth, 
God  of  my  life,  through  all  its  days, 
God  of  my  mercy  and  my  praise, 
God  of  my  strength,  to  thee  I  cry, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


God  of  our  lives,  thy  constant  care, 
God  of  our  lives,  whose  bounteous  care, 
God  of  the  morning,  at  whose  voice, 
God  of  the  seas,  thy  thundering  voice, 
God,  our  kind  Master,  merciful  as  just, 
God,  to  correct  a  guilty  world,   . 
God,  who  is  just  and  kind, 
Good  is  the  Lord,  the  heavenly  King, 
Grace  !  'tis  a  pleasing  sound, 
Great  Father  of  mankind  ! 
Great  first  of  beings,  mighty  Lord, 
Great  Former  of  this  various  frame, 
Great  God,  at  whose  all-powerful  call, 
Great  God,  how  infinite  art  thou! 
Great  God,  how  vast  is  thine  abode  ! 
Great  God,  how  well  thy  truths  agree ! 
Great  God,  if  nature  weak  and  frail, 
Great  God,  indulge  my  humble  claim, 
Great  God,  in  vain  man's  narrow  view, 
Great  God,  I  own  thy  sentence  just, 
Great  God,  my  early  vows  to  thee, 
Great  God  of  grace,  arise  and-shine, 
Great  God,  the  heavens'  well-ordered  frame, 
Great  God,  thine  attributes  divine, 
Great  God,  to  thee  my  grateful  tongue, 
Great  God,  we  sing  that  mighty  hand, 
Great  God,  where'er  we  pitch  our  tent, 
Great  God,  while  nature  speaks  thy  praise, 
Great  God,  whose  all-pervading  eye, 
Great  God,  whose  universal  sway, 
Great  King  of  kings,  eternal  God, 
Great  Lord  of  earth  and  seas  and  skies, 
Great  Ruler  of  all  nature's  frame, 
Great  Ruler  of  the  earth  and  skies, 
Great  Source  of  all  that  we  enjoy, 
Great  Source  of  life,  our  souls  confess, 
Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  good, 
Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  life, 
Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  life, 


Hail,  great  Creator,  wise  and  good  ! 


73 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Hail,  happy  morn !  whose  early  ray, 
Hail,  source  of  pleasures  ever  new  ! 
Hail,  the  God  of  our  salvation, 
Happy  is  he  whose  early  years, 
Happy  the  man  whose  cautious  steps, 
Happy  the  man  whose  wishes  climb, 
Happy  the  men  whom  strength  divine, 
Hark  !  for  the  great  Creator  speaks, 
Hark,  from  the  tombs  an  awful  sound  ! 
Hark  the  glad  sound,  the  Saviour  comes, 
Hast  thou  not  heard,  hast  thou  not  known, 
He  dies,  the  friend  of  sinners  dies, 
Hear  what  God  the  Lord  hath  spoken, 
Heaven  has  confirmed  the  great  decree, 
Here,  in  the  broken  bread, 
Here  in  thy  temple,  Lord,  we  bow, 
High  in  the  heavens,  eternal  God, 
Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  ! 
Hosanna!  let  us  join  to  sing, 
Hosanna !  with  a  cheerful  sound, 
House  of  our  God,  with  cheerful  anthems  ring, 
How  are  thy  servants  blessed,  O  Lord, 
How  beauteous  are  their  feet, 
How  blest  is  he  whose  tranquil  mind, 
How  blest  the  man,  how  more  than  blest, 
How  blest  the  sacred  tie  that  binds, 
How  blest  thy  creature  is,  O  God, 
How  did  my  heart  rejoice  to  hear, 
How  glorious,  Lord,  art  thou !    . 
How  gracious  and  how  wise, 
How  happy  is  the  man  who  hears, 
How  long  shall  dreams  of  creature  bliss 
How  many  millions  draw  their  breath, 
How  pleased  and  blessed  was  I, 
How  rich  are  thy  provisions,  Lord, 
How  rich  thy  favours,  God  of  grace ! 
How  rich  thy  gifts,  Almighty  King ! 
How  shall  the  young  secure  their  hearts, 
How  still  and  peaceful  is  the  grave ! 
How  swift  the  torrent  rolls, 
How  vain  are  all  things  here  below  ! 

xii 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


How  vain  a  thought  is  bliss  below ! 
How  vain  is  grandeur's  purple  pride ! 
How  well  our  great  Preserver  knows, 

I  am  the  first,  and  I  the  last, 

I  come,  the  great  Redeemer  cries, 

I  love  the  Lord,  he  heard  my  cries, 

I  love  the  volumes  of  thy  word,  . 

I  read  my  duty  in  the  word, 

I  to  my  God  my  ways  commit,   . 

If  friendless  in  the  vale  of  tears  I  stray, 

If  solid  happiness  we  prize, 

I'll  bless  Jehovah's  glorious  name, 

Immortal  God,  on  thee  we  call,  . 

Imperfect  creatures  of  a  day, 

Imposture  shrinks  from  light, 

In  devious  paths  awhile  I  trod,    . 

In  glad  amazement,  Lord,  I  stand, 

In  the  soft  season  of  thy  youth,  . 

In  thy  rebukes,  all-gracious  God, 

In  vain,  alas,  from  shore  to  shore, 

In  vain  my  roving  thoughts  would  find, 

In  vain  opposing  nations  rage,    . 

In  vain  while  dark  afflictions  spread, 

Indulgent  God,  whose  bounteous  care, 

Indulgent  God,  with  pitying  eye, 

Inquire,  ye  pilgrims,  for  the  way, 

Interval  of  grateful  shade, 

Is  there  no  kind,  no  lenient  art,  . 

Is  there  on  earth  a  nobler  name, . 

Jehovah  !  'tis  a  glorious  word,  ' . 
Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 
Jesus  invites  his  friends, 
Joy  to  the  world,  the  Lord  is  come, 

Let  all  the  earth  their  voices  raise, 
Let  children  hear  the  mighty  deeds, 
Let  coward  guilt  with  pallid  fear, 
Let  every  creature  join, 
Let  every  mortal  ear  attend, 

b  xiii 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Let  every  tongue  thy  goodness  speak, 

Let  heathens  to  their  idols  haste, 

Let  heaven  arise,  let  earth  appear, 

Let  our  dejected  hearts  revive,    . 

Let  party  names  no  more, 

Let  songs  of  praise  from  all  below, 

Let  sorrow,  Lord,  my  bosom  fill, 

Let  the  whole  race  of  creatures  lie, 

Let  us  with  a  joyful  mind, 

Life  is  a  span,  a  fleeting  hour,     . 

Life  like  a  vain  amusement  flies, 

Lift  your  voice,  and  joyful  sing, . 

Like  shadows  gliding  o'er  the  plain, 

Lo,  he  comes  from  heaven  descending, 

Lo,  what  a  glorious  corner-stone, 

Lo,  what  a  pleasing  sight, 

Long  as  I  live,  I'll  bless  thy  name, 

Long  have  I  sat  beneath  the  sound, 

Look  round,  O  man,  survey  this  globe, 

Lord,  before  thy  presence  come, 

Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing, 

Lord,  I  have  made  thy  word  my  choice, 

Lord,  in  this  wretched  vale  of  tears, 

Lord  of  my  life,  O  may  thy  praise, 

Lord  of  the  sabbath,  hear  our  vows, 

Lord  of  the  worlds  above, 

Lord  of  the  world's  majestic  frame, 

Lord,  thou  art  good,  all  nature  shows, 

Lord,  thou  hast  search'd  and  seen  me  through, 

Lord,  thou  wilt  hear  me  when  I  pray, 

Lord,  'tis  a  pleasant  thing  to  stand, 

Lord,  we  adore  thy  boundless  grace, 

Lord,  we  adore  thy  wondrous  name, 

Lord,  we  have  wandered  from  thy  way, 

Lord,  when  I  count  thy  mercies  o'er, 

Lord,  when  my  thoughts  delighted  rove, 


Maker,  and  sovereign  Lord, 
Mark  the  soft-falling  snow, 
Mark  when  tempestuous  winds  arise, 
Man  has  a  soul  of  vast  desires,    . 

xiv 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


May  God  his  favoring  ear  incline, 
Merc)r,  judgment,  now  my  tongue, 
Mere  human  powers  shall  fast  decay, 
Must  friends  and  kindred  droop  and  die, 
My  faith  and  hope  in  God  are  strong, 
My  God,  and  is  this  table  spread  1 
My  God,  how  endless  is  thy  love ! 
My  God,  my  everlasting  hope,    . 
My  God,  my  Father,  cheering  name, 
My  God,  my  hope,  if  thou  art  mine, 
My  God,  my  King,  thy  various  praise, 
My  God,  my^  King,  to  thee  I'll  raise, 
My  God,  my  portion  and  my  love, 
My  God,  permit  me  not  to  be,     . 
My  God,  the  steps  of  pious  men, 
My  God,  thy  boundless  love  I  praise, 
My  God,  thy  service  well  demands, 
My  God,  'tis  to  thy  mercy  seat, 
My  God,  to  thee  my  soul  aspires, 
My  God,  what  blessings  round  me  shone, 
My  God,  whose  all-pervading  eye, 
My  heart  and  all  my  ways,  O  God, 
My  helper,  God,  I  bless  his  name, 
My  Maker  and  my  King, 
My  never-ceasing  songs  shall  show, 
My  soul,  before  thy  Maker  bow, 
My  soul  forsakes  each  vain  delight, 
My  soul  shall  praise  thee,  O  my  God, 
My  thoughts  that  oft  ascend  the  skies, 
My  wakened  soul,  extend  thy  wings, 


Naked  as  from  the  earth  we  came, 

No,  I'll  repine  at  death  no  more, 

Not  by  the  terrors  of  a  slave, 

Not  from  relentless  fate's  dark  womb, 

Not  to  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,     . 

Now  let  a  true  ambition  rise, 

Now  let  our  songs  address  the  God  of1 

Now  let  our  voices  join, 

Now  to  the  Lord  a  joyful  song,  . 

Now  to  thy  heavenly  Father's  praise, 


peace, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul, 
O  blessed  souls  are  they, 
O  come,  all  ye  sons  of  Adam,  and  raise, 
O  come,  behold  a  scene  of  dread, 
O  for  a  hymn  of  universal  praise, 
O  for  a  prophet's  fire, 
O  for  a  shout  of  sacred  joy, 
O  for  a  plentitude  of  grace, 
O  God,  accept  the  sacred  hour    . 
O  God  of  Jacob,  by  whose  hand, 
O  God,  my  Saviour  and  my  King, 
O  happiness,  thou  pleasing  dream, 
O  hear  me,  Lord,  to  thee  I  call,  . 
O  here,  if  ever,  God  of  love, 
O  how  delightful  is  the  road, 
O  how  I  love  thy  holy  law, 
O  how  my  fears  the  dangers  move, 
O  how  shall  words,  with  equal  warmth, 
O  let  your  mingling  voices  rise  . 
O  Lord,  how  excellent  thy  name ! 
O  Lord,  my  best  desires  fulfil,    . 
O  Lord,  our  heavenly  King, 
O  praise  ye  the  Lord,  prepare  a  new  song, 
O  sweeter  than  the  fragrant  flower, 
O  tell  to  all  whom  earth  sustains, 
O  that  the  Lord  would  guide  my  ways,  . 
O  that  thy  statutes  every  hour,    . 
O  the  abundance  of  thy  house,    . 
O  thou,  before  whose  gracious  throne 
O  thou,  the  wretched's  sure  retreat, 
O  thou  who  hear'st  when  sinners  cry,     . 
O  thou  whose  scales  the  mountains  weigh, 
O  thou  whose  tender  mercy  hears, 
O  thou  unknown,  almighty  Cause, 
O,  'tis  a  lovely  thing  to  see, 
O  ye  who  seek  Jehovah's  face,   . 
O  Zion,  tune  thy  voice,  . 
Of  justice  and  of  truth  I  sing, 
On  thee  each  morning,  O  my  God, 
On  wings  of  faith,  mount  up  my  soul,  and  rise, 
On  wings  of  love  the  christian  flies, 

xvi 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Our  country  is  Iramanuel's  ground, 
Our  God,  our  help  in  ages  past,  . 
Our  life  is  but  an  idle  play, 
Our  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead, 
Our  powers,  great  God,  are  too  confined 
Our  reason  stretches  all  its  wings, 
Our  souls  with  pleasing  w7onder  trace, 

Parent  of  all,  Omnipotent, 
Parent  of  good,  thy  works  of  might, 
Patience,  O  'tis  a  grace  divine, 
Peace,  my  complaining,  doubting  heart 
Peace,  the  welcome  sound  proclaim, 
Perfection  !  'tis  an  empty  name, 
Perpetual  Source  of  light  and  grace, 
Pity  the  nations,  O  our  God, 
Praise,  everlasting  praise  be  paid, 
Praise  to  God,  immortul  praise, . 
Praise  to  thee,  thou  great  Creator, 
Praise  to  the  Lord  who  bows  his  ear, 
Praise  to  the  Lord  of  boundless  might, 
Praise  ye  the  Lord,  'tis  good  -to  raise, 
Praise  ye  the  Lord,  let  praise  employ, 
Prepare,  th'  appointed  herald  cried, 
Providence,  profusely  kind, 


Raise  your  triumphant  songs 
Rejoice,  the  Lord  is  King, 
Rejoice,  ye  righteous,  in  the  Lord, 
Rejoice,  ye  shining  worlds  on  high, 
Remark,  my  soul,  the  narrow  bounds, 
Return,  my  roving  heart,  return, 
Return,  0  God  of  love,  return,    „ 
Rise,  rise,  my  soul,  and  leave  the  ground, 

Salvation  is  for  ever  nigh, 
Salvation,  O  the  joyful  sound,    . 
Searcher  of  hearts,  before  thy  face, 
See  how  he  loved,  exclaim'd  the  Jews, 
See  the  bright  monarch  of  the  day, 
See  the  kind  shepherd,  Jesus,  stands, 
6*  xvii 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Shall  I  forsake  that  heav'nly  Friend, 
Shine  forth,  eternal  Source  of  light, 
Shine  on  our  souls,  eternal  God, 
Should  famine  o'er  the  mourning  field, 
Show  pity,  Lord,  O  Lord,  forgive, 
Sing  to  the  Lord  a  joyful  song,  . 
Sing  to  the  Lord  Jehovah's  name, 
Sing  to  the  Lord,  let  praise  inspire, 
Sing  to  the  Lord,  who  loud  proclaims, 
Sing  to  the  Lord,  ye  distant  lands, 
Sing,  ye  redeemed  of  the  Lord, 
Sing,  ye  sons  of  might,  O  sing, 
Sleep,  sleep  to-day,  tormenting  cares, 
So  let  our  lips  and  lives  express, 
Soft  are  the  fruitful  show'rs  that  bring, 
Songs  of  immortal  praise  belong, 
Sons  of  men,  behold  him  far, 
Soon  will  our  fleeting  hours  be  past, 
Sov'reign  of  life,  before  thine  eye, 
Sov'reign  of  life,  I  own  thy  hand, 
Spring  up,  my  soul,  with  ardent  flight, 
Still  do  the  wheels  of  time  revolve, 
Still  to  the  mighty  Lord  of  hosts, 
Sweet  are  the  praises  of  the  Lord, 
Sweet  is  the  friendly  voice  that  speaks, 
Sweet  is  the  mem'ry  of  thy  grace, 
Sweet  is  the  work,  my  God,  my  King, 
Swift  glide  the  hours  of  life  away, 

Teach  me,  O  teach  me,  Lord,  thy  way, 
Teach  me  the  measure  of  my  days, 
Th'  Almighty  reigns  exalted  high, 
Th'  Almighty  stoops  to  view  the  skies, 
Thanks  for  mercies  past,  receive, 
That  awfui  hour  will  soon  appear, 
That  man  is  blest  who  stands  in  awe, 
That  solemn  day  will  soon  arrive, 
The  darken'd  sky,  how  thick  it  lowers 
The  earth  and  all  the  heav'nly  frame, 
The  evils  that  beset  our  path, 
The  gifts  indulgent  heav'n  bestows, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


The  glorious  armies  of  the  sky,  . 

The  God  Jehovah  reigns, 

The  God  of  glory  sends  his  summons  forth 

The  God  of  heav'n  is  kind  and  just, 

The  God  of  love  will  sure  indulge, 

The  Gospel,  like  another  sun,     . 

The  great  Creator,  wise  and  good, 

The  heart  dejected  sighs  to  know, 

The  heav'ns  declare  thy  glory,  Lord, 

The  Lord  can  clear  the  darkest  skies, 

The  Lord,  how  kind  are  all  his  ways,     . 

The  Lord,  how  tender  is  his  love, 

The  Lord  in  Zion  placed  his  name, 

The  Lord  my  pasture  shall  prepare, 

The  Lord  my  Shepherd  is, 

The  Lord  of  glory  is  my  light,    . 

The  Lord  of  glory  reigns,  he  reigns  on  high, 

The  Lord  of  glory  reigns  supremely  great, 

The  Lord,  th'  Almighty  Monarch,  spake, 

The  Lord,  the  Judge,  his  churches  warns, 

The  Lord,  the  Sov'reign  King,  . 

The  man  is  ever  blest,    . 

The  man  of  humble,  upright  heart, 

The  man  whose  firm  and  equal  mind, 

The  man  whose  heart  from  vice  is  clear, 

The  morn  and  eve  thy  praise  resound, 

The  morning  flow'rs  display  their  sweets, 

The  praises  of  my  God  and  King, 

The  prince  of  peace  is  come, 

The  righteous  Lord,  supremely  great, 

The  rising  morn,  the  closing  day, 

The  rolling  year,  almighty  Lord, 

The  Saviour  calls,  let  ev'ry  ear, 

The  spacious  firmament  on  high, 

The  starry  heav'ns  thy  rule  obey, 

The  swift-declining  day, 

The  time  draws  near  when  thou,  my  soul, 

The  volume  of  my  Father's  grace, 

The  weary  trav'ller  lost  in  night, 

The  work,  0  Lord,  is  thine, 

The  world  of  nature,  Lord,  is  thine, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


Thee  we  adore,  Eternal  Name,  . 
There  is  a  glorious  world  on  high, 
There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight,  . 
There  is  a  righteous  God, 
They  that  have  made  their  refuge  God, 
Thine  eyes  in  me  the  sheep  behold, 
Thine  influence,  mighty  God,  is  felt, 
Thine  is  the  throne,  beneath  thy  reign, 
This  earthly  globe,  the  creature  of  a  day, 
This  feast  was  Jesus'  high  behest, 
This  is  the  day  the  Lord  hath  made, 
This  is  the  day  the  Lord  of  life, 
Though  nature's  voice  you  must  obey, 
Though  perfect  eloquence  inspired, 
Those  happy  realms  of  joy  and  peace, 
Thou  art  my  portion,  O  my  God, 
Thou  didst,  O  mighty  God,  exist, 
Thou,  Lord,  by  mortal  eyes  unseen, 
Thou,  Lord,  in  mercy  wilt  regard, 
Thou  who  sitt'st  enthroned  above, 
Thrice  happy  man  who  fears  the  Lord, 
Thrice  happy  men  who,  born  from  heav'n, 
Through  all  the  changing  scenes  of  life, 
Th'  uplifted  eye  and  bended  knee, 
Thus  far  the  Lord  hath  led  me  on, 
Thus  saith  the  first,  the  great  command, 
Thus  the  eternal  Father  spake,  . 
Thy  goodness,  Lord,  our  souls  confess, 
Thy  gracious  favor,  Lord,  display, 
Thy  judgments,  Lord,  are  deep  and  high, 
Thy  mercies  fill  the  earth,  O  Lord, 
Thy  presence,  everlasting  God, 
Thy  wisdom,  pow'r  and  goodness,  Lord, 
Time !  what  an  empty  vapour  'tis  ! 
'Tis  by  the  faith  of  joys  to  come, 
'Tis  by  thy  strength  the  mountains  stand, 
'Tis  religion  that  can  give, 
To  calm  the  sorrows  of  the  mind, 
Together  let  us  plead, 
To  God,  its  source,  my  soul  aspires, 
To  God  let  fervent  pray'rs  arise, 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


To  God,  of  ev'ry  good  the  spring, 
To  God  the  only  wise,    . 
To  heav'n,  my  longing  soul,  aspire, 
To  our  Almighty  Maker,  God,    . 
To  thee,  great  God,  my  knees  I  bend, 
To  thee,  my  God,  my  days  are  known, 
To  thee  my  heart,  eternal  King, 
To  thee,  O  God,  we  homage  pay, 
To  those  who  fear  and  trust  the  Lord, 
Triumphant,  Lord,  thy  goodness  reigns, 
'Twas  God  who  hurl'd  the  rolling  spheres, 
Twas  on  that  dreadful,  doleful  night, 


Up  to  the  hills  I  lift  mine  eyes,  . 

Upward  I  lift  mine  eyes, 

Vast  are  thy  works,  almighty  Lord, 

We  bless  the  Lord,  the  just,  the  good, 
We  praise  the  Lord  for  heav'nly  bread, 
We  sing  thy  mercy,  God  of  love, 
Weak  and  irresolute  is  man, 
Weary  of  these  low  scenes  of  night, 
Welcome  the  hope  of  Isr'el's  race, 
Welcome  the  hope  of  Isr'el's  race, 
What  glory  gilds  the  sacred  page, 
What  heav'nly  wisdom  has  bestow'd, 
What  mean  these  jealousies  and  fears, 
What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord, 
What  sinners  value,  I  resign,     . 
What  tho'  downy  slumbers  flee,  "" 
What  works  of  wisdom,  pow'r,  and  love 
When  all  the  pow'rs  of  nature  fail, 
When  all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God, 
When  as  returns  this  solemn  day, 
When  blooming  youth  is  snatch'd  away, 
When  darkness  long  has  veil'd  my  mind, 
When  death  appears  before  my  sight,     . 
When  gloomy  thoughts  and  boding  fears, 
When  I  can  read  my  title  clear, 
When  in  the  light  of  things  divine, 
When  Isr'el  through  the  desert  pass'd,  . 

xxi 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


When  Isr'el's  tribes  on  Gibeon  pour'd,  . 
When  o'er  the  trodden  paths  of  life, 
When  overwhelm'd  with  grief, 
When  rising  from  the  bed  of  death, 
When  sickness  shakes  the  languid  frame, 
When  storms  hang  o'er  the  christian's  head, 
Where  love  and  all  the  graces  reign, 
Where'er  the  Lord  shall  build  my  house, 
Wherefore  should  man,  frail  child  of  clay, 
Wherewith  shall  I  approach  the  Lord, 
While  beauty  clothes  the  fertile  vale, 
While  God  my  Father's  near,     . 
While  some  in  folly's  pleasures  roll, 
While  sounds  of  war  are  heard  around, 
While  thee  I  seek,  protecting  Pow'r, 
While  thoughtless  sinners  choose, 
While  to  the  grave  our  friends  are  borne, 
WThile  with  ceaseless  course,  the  sun, 
While  with  remorse  and  woe  opprest, 
Who,  gracious  Father,  can  complain, 
Who  shall  ascend  thy  heav'nly  place, 
Who  shall  not  tremble,  mighty  God, 
Why  do  we  mourn  departing  friends, 
Why  does  the  will  of  heav'n  ordain, 
Why  is  my  heart  with  grief  opprest  1 
Why  should  I  thus  perplex, 
Why  should  this  earth  delight  us  so  ?     , 
Why  sinks  my  weak  desponding  mind, 
Why  will  37ou  waste  on  trilling  cares 
With  ecstacy  of  joy, 
With  eye  impartial,  heav'n's  high  King, 
With  God  my  friend,  the  radiant  sun, 
With  my  whole  heart  I've  sought  thy  face, 
With  one  consent  let  all  the  earth, 
With  sacred  joy  we  lift  our  eyes, 
With  songs  and  honors  sounding  loud, 
With  transport,  Lord,  we  view  the  page, 
With  warm  affection  let  us  view, 
With  warm  delight  and  grateful  joy, 
Would  you  behold  the  works  of  God,     . 

xxii 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 

Ye  followers  of  the  prince  of  peace, 

Ye  glitt'ring  toys  of  earth,  adieu, 

Ye  golden  lamps  of  heav'n,  farewell, 

Ye  humble  souls  complain  no  more, 

Ye  humble  souls  that  seek  the  Lord, 

Ye  mourning-  souls  whose  streaming  tears, 

Ye  nations,  hear,  ye  sons  of  earth, 

Ye  righteous,  in  your  King  rejoice, 

Ye  servants  of  th'  almighty  King, 

Ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 

Ye  sons  of  men,  in  sacred  lays, 

Ye  sons  of  men,  with  joy  record, 

Ye  subjects  of  the  Lord,  proclaim, 

Yc  that  obey  th'  immortal  King, 

Ye  tribes  of  Adam,  join, 

Ye  weak  inhabitants  of  clay, 

Ye  works  of  God,  on  him  alone, 

Yes,  long  as  mem'ry  to  my  brain, 

Yes,  to  the  last  command, 


497 
318 
486 
477 
245 
518 
461 
528 
102 
457 
101 
117 
135 
22 
57 
105 
51 
635 
639 


A  SELECTION 

OF 

SACRED    POETRY. 

PART   I. 

CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND  THE  LORD'S  DAY. 


1  CM.  Watts. 

The  Privilege  of  Public  Worship. 

1  The  Lord  in  Zion  placed  his  name, 

His  ark  was  settled  there ; 
To  Zion  the  whole  nation  came 
To  worship  thrice  a  year. 

2  But  we  have  no  such  lengths  to  go, 

Nor  wander  far  abroad  : 
Wherever  we  assemble  now, 
There  is  a  house  for  God. 

3  Here,  mighty  God,  accept  our  vows ; 

Here  let  thy  praise  be  spread ; 
Bless  the  provisions  of  thy  house, 
And  fill  thy  poor  with  bread. 


CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

Here  let  the  Son  of  David  reign ; 

Let  God's  anointed  shine ; 
Justice  and  truth  his  court  maintain, 

With  love  and  power  divine. 

2  P-  M.  Doddridge. 

The  House  of  Prayer. 

Great  Father  of  mankind  ! 
We  bless  that  wondrous  grace, 
Which  could  for  Gentiles  find 
Within  thy  courts  a  place. 

How  kind  the  care 

Our  God  displays, 

For  us  to  raise 

A  house  of  prayer ! 

To  thee  ourselves  wTe  join, 
And  love  thy  sacred  name ; 
No  more  our  own  but  thine, 
We  triumph  in  thy  claim. 

Our  Father-King ! 

Thy  covenant-grace 

Our  souls  embrace, 

Thy  titles  sing. 

Here,  in  thy  house,  we  feast 
On  dainties  all  divine  ; 
And  while  such  sweets  we  taste, 
With  joy  our  faces  shine  ; 

Incense  shall  rise 

From  flames  of  love, 
2 


THE  LORD'S  DAY. 


And  God  approve 
The  sacrifice. 

4  May  all  the  nations  throng 
To  worship  in  thy  house ; 
And  thou  attend  the  song, 
And  smile  upon  their  vows ; 

Indulgent  still, 

Till  earth  conspire, 

To  join  the  choir, 

On  Zion's  hill. 

3  P.  M.  Watts. 

Delight  in  Public  Worship. 

1  Lord  of  the  worlds  above, 
How  pleasant  and  how  fair, 
The  dwellings  of  thy  love, 
Thine  earthly  temples  are  ! 

To  thine  abode 
My  heart  aspires, 
With  warm  desires 
To  see  my  God, 

2  O  happy  souls  that  pray 
Where  God  appoints  to  hear ! 
O  happy  men  that  pay 
Their  constant  service  there  ! 

They  praise  thee  still ; 
And  happy  they 
Who  love  the  way 
To  Zion's  hill. 

3  They  go  from  strength  to  strength, 
Through  this  dark  vale  of  tears, 

3 


4  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

Till  each  arrives  at  length, 
Till  each  in  heaven  appears : 

O  glorious  seat, 

When  God  our  King 

Shall  thither  bring 

Our  willing  feet ! 

Z§.  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Pleasure  and  Advantage  of  Divine  Worship. 

1  Happy  the  men,  whom  strength  divine 
With  ardent  love  and  zeal  inspires ! 
Whose  steps  to  thy  blest  way  incline, 
With  willing  hearts  and  warm  desires. 

2  Still  they  pursue  the  painful  road ; 
Increasing  strength  surmounts  their  fear ; 
Till  all  at  length,  before  their  God, 

In  Zion's  glorious  courts  appear. 

3  One  day  within  thy  sacred  gate 
Affords  more  real  joy  to  me,- 

Than  thousands  in  the  tents  of  state  : 
The  meanest  place  is  bliss  with  thee. 

4  God  is  a  sun  ;  our  brightest  day 
From  his  reviving  presence  flows  : 
God  is  a  shield,  through  all  the  way 
To  guard  us  from  surrounding  foes. 

5  He  pours  his  kindest  blessings  dowrn, 
Profusely  down,  on  souls  sincere ; 

And  grace  shall  guide,  and  glory  crown 
The  happy  favorites  of  his  care. 

4 


THE  LORDS  DAY. 

6  O  Lord  of  hosts,  thou  God  of  grace, 
How  blest,  divinely  blest,  is  he, 
Who  trusts  thy  love,  and  seeks  thy  face, 
And  fixes  all  his  hopes  on  thee. 

|J  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Asking  the  Way  to  Zion. 

1  Inquire,  ye  pilgrims,  for  the  way 

That  leads  to  Zion's  hill ; 
And  thither  set  your  steady  face, 
With  a  determined  will. 

2  Invite  the  strangers  all  around, 

Your  pious  march  to  join ; 
And  spread  the  sentiments  you  feel 
Of  faith  and  love  divine. 

3  Come,  let  us  to  his  temple  haste, 

And  seek  his  favour  there ; 
Before  his  footstool  humbly  bow, 
And  pour  out  fervent  prayer. 

4  Come,  let  us  join  our  souls  to  God, 

In  everlasting  bands, 
And  seize  the  blessings  he  bestows, 
With  eager  hearts  and  hands. 

5  Come,  let  us  seal,  without  delay, 

The  covenant  of  his  grace ; 
Nor  shall  the  years  of  distant  life 
Its  memory  efface. 

6  Thus  may  our  rising  offspring  haste 

To  seek  their  fathers'  God ; 

A*  5 


CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

Nor  e'er  forsake  the  happy  path,      * 
Their  youthful  feet  have  trod. 

45  P.  M.  Watts. 

Going  up  to  Worship. 

How  pleased  and  blest  was  I, 

To  hear  the  people  cry, 
"  Come,  let  us  seek  our  God  to-day  IV 

Yes,  with  a  cheerful  zeal, 

We  haste  to  Zion's  hill, 
And  there  our  vows  and  honours  pay. 

Zion,  thrice  happy  place ! 

Adorned  with  wondrous  grace, 
And  walls  of  strength  embrace  thee  round ; 

In  theje  our  tribes  appear 

To  pray,  or  praise,  or  hear 
The  sacred  gospel's  joyful  sound. 

May  Peace  attend  thy  gate, 

And  Joy  within  thee  wait, 
To  bless  the  soul  of  every  guest ! 

The  man  that  seeks  thy  peace, 

And  wishes  thine  increase, 
A  thousand  blessings  on  him  rest ! 

My  tongue  repeats  her  vows, 

"  Peace  to  this  sacred  house  !" 
For  there  my  friends  and  kindred  dwell ; 

And  since  my  glorious  God 

Makes  thee  his  blest  abode, 
My  soul  shall  ever  love  thee  well. 

6 


THE  LORDS  DAY.  7,    I 

iy  C.  M.  Watts. 

Attendance  on  Divine  Worship. 

1  How  did  my  heart  rejoice  to  hear 

My  friends  devoutly  say, 
In  God's  own  house  let  us  appear, 
And  keep  the  solemn  day. 

2  My  soul  shall  pray  for  Zion  still, 

While  life  or  breath  remains : 
There  my  best  friends,  my  kindred  dwell. 
There  God  my  Saviour  reigns. 

3  Peace  be  within  this  sacred  place, 

And  joy  a  constant  guest ! 
With  holy  gifts  and  heavenly  grace 
Be  her  attendants  blest ! 

§  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Church  our  Delight  and  Safety. 

1  The  Lord  of  glory  is  my  light, 

And  my  salvation  too ; 
God  is  my  strength,  nor  will  I  fear 
What  all  my  foes  can  do. 

2  One  privilege  my  heart  desires  : 

O  grant  me  an  abode, 
Among  the  churches  of  thy  Son, 
The  temples  of  my  God. 

3  There  shall  I  offer  my  requests, 

And  see  thy  beauty  still ; 
Shall  hear  thy  messages  of  love, 
And  there  inquire  thy  will. 

7 


CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

When  troubles  rise,  and  storms  appear, 
There  may  his  children  hide ; 

God  has  a  strong  pavilion,  where 
He  makes  my  soul  abide. 

Now  shall  my  head  be  lifted  high 

Above  my  foes  around, 
And  songs  of  joy  and  victory 

Within  thy  temple  sound. 


9  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Church  the  Garden  of  God, 

1  Lord,  'tis  a  pleasant  thing  to  stand 
In  gardens  planted  by  thy  hand ; 
Let  me  within  thy  courts  be  seen, 
Like  a  young  cedar,  fresh  and  green. 

2  There  grow  thy  saints  in  faith  and  love, 
Blest  with  thine  influence  from  above ; 
Not  Lebanon,  with  all  its  trees, 
Yields  such  a  comely  sight  as  these. 

3  The  plants  of  grace  shall  ever  live ; 
Nature  decays,  but  grace  must  thrive ; 
Time,  that  doth  all  things  else  impair. 
Still  makes  them  nourish  strong  and  fair. 

4  Laden  with  fruits  of  age,  they  showr 
The  Lord  is  holy,  just,  and  true : 
None  that  attend  his  courts  shall  find 
A  God  unfaithful  or  unkind. 


THE  LORD'S  DAY.  10,    11 


JO  L.  M.  Boyse. 

Acceptable  Worship, 

1  Come  !  pay  the  worship  God  requires, 
Inflamed  with  pure  and  holy  fires. 
When  love  celestial  warms  the  breast, 
Our  homage  and  our  vows  are  blest. 

2  When  piety  and  truth  refined 
Possess  the  temple  of  the  mind, 
With  grateful  flames  the  altars  glow, 
And  God  will  visit  man  below. 

Jl  C.  M.  Browne. 

The  same  subjeet. 

1  Wherewith  shall  I  approach  the  Lord, 

And  bow  before  his  throne  ? 
O  how  procure  his  kind  regard, 
And  for  my  guilt  atone  ? 

2  Shall  altars  flame,  and  victims  bleed, 

And  spicy  fumes  ascend  ? 
Will  these  my  earnest  wish  succeed, 
And  make  my  God  my  friend  ? 

3  O  no,  my  soul !  'twere  fruitless  all  ; 

Such  offerings  are  vain  : 
No  fallings  from  the  field  or  stall 
His  favour  can  obtain. 

4  To  men  their  rights  I  must  allow, 

And  proofs  of  kindness  give ; 

9 


12  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

To  God  with  humble  reverence  bow, 
And  to  his  glory  live. 

5  Hands  that  are  clean  and  hearts  sincere, 
He  never  wTill  despise ; 
And  cheerful  duty  he'll  prefer 
To  costly  sacrifice. 


12  P.  M.  John  Taylor. 

The  Acceptable  Offering. 

Father  of  our  feeble  race  ! 
Wise,  beneficent,  and  kind ! 
Spread  o'er  nature's  ample  face, 
Flows  thy  goodness  unconfined  : 
Musing  in  the  silent  m-ove, 
Or  the  busy  walks  of  men, 
Still  we  trace  thy  wondrous  love, 
Claiming  large  returns  again. 

Lord,  what  offering  shall  we  bring, 
At  thine  altars  when  we  bow  ? 
Hearts,  the  pure  unsullied  spring, 
Whence  the  kind  affections  flow ; 
Soft  compassion's  feeling  soul, 
By  the  melting  eye  exprest ; 
Sympathy,  at  whose  control 
Sorrow  leaves  the  wounded  breast ; 

Willing  hands  to  lead  the  blind, 
Bind  the  wounded,  feed  the  poor ; 
Love,  embracing  all  our  kind ; 
Charity,  with  liberal  store. 

10 


the  lord's  day.  13,  14 

Teach  us,  O  thou  heavenly  King  ! 
Thus  to  show  our  grateful  mind, 
Thus  the  accepted  offering  bring, 
Love  to  thee  and  all  mankind. 


13  C.  M.  Watts. 

Sincerity  and  Hypocrisy. 

1  God  is  a  spirit,  just  and  wise, 

He  sees  our  inmost  mind  : 
In  vain  to  heaven  we  raise  our  cries, 
And  leave  our  souls  behind. 

2  Nothing  but  truth  before  his  throne 

With  honour  can  appear  ; 
The  formal  hypocrites  are  known 
Through  the  disguise  they  wear. 

3  Their  lifted  eye  salutes  the  skies, 

Their  bended  knees,  the  ground ; 
But  God  abhors  the  sacrifice, 
Where  not  the  heart  is  found. 

4  Lord,   search  my*  thoughts,    and   try  my 

ways, 
And  make  my  soul  sincere ; 
Then  may  I  stand  before  thy  face, 
And  find  acceptance  there. 

14.  L.  M.  Scott. 

Devotion  vain  without  Virtue. 

1  The  uplifted  eye  and  bended  knee, 
Are  but  vain  homage,  Lord  !  to  thee ; 
11 


15  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

In  vain  our  lips  thy  praise  prolong, 
The  heart  a  stranger  to  the  song. 

2  Can  rites,  and  forms,  and  naming  zeal, 
The  breaches  of  thy  precepts  heal  ? 
Or  fasts  and  penance  reconcile 

Thy  justice,  and  obtain  thy  smile  ? 

3  The  pure,  the  humble,  contrite  mind, 
Sincere,  and  to  thy  will  resign'd, 

To  thee  a  nobler  offering  yields 

Than  Sheba's  groves,  or  Sharon's  fields. 

4  Love  God  and  man — this  great  command 
Doth  on  eternal  pillars  stand : 

This  did  thine  ancient  prophets  teach, 
This  did  the  great  Messiah  preach. 

jg  P.  M.  John  Taylor. 

Surrounding  the  Mercy  Seat. 

1  Far  from  mortal  cares  retreating, 
Sordid  hopes  and  fon^esires, 
Here,  our  willing  footsteps  meeting, 
Every  heart  to  heaven  aspires. 
From  the  Fount  of  glory  beaming, 
Light  celestial  cheers  our  eyes ; 
Mercy  from  above  proclaiming, 
Peace  and  pardon  from  the  skies. 

2  Who  may  share  this  great  salvation  ? — 
Every  pure  and  humble  mind ; 
Every  kindred,  tongue,  and  nation, 
From  the  dross  of  guilt  refined  : 

12 


THE    LORD'S    DAY.  16 

Blessings  all  around  bestowing, 
God  withholds  his  care  from  none ; 
Grace  and  mercy  ever  flowing 
From  the  fountain  of  his  throne. 

3  Every  stain  of  guilt  abhorring, 
Firm  and  bold  in  virtue's  cause, 
Still  thy  providence  adoring, 
Faithful  subjects  to  thy  laws, 
Lord,  with  favour  still  attend  us, 
Bless  us  with  thy  wondrous  love, 
Thou,  our  sun  and  shield,  defend  us, 
All  our  hope  is  from  above. 

\Q  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Love  of  God  better  than  Life. 

1  Great  God  !  indulge  my  humble  claim, 
Thou  art  my  joy,  and  thou  my  rest ; 
The  glories  that  compose  thy  name, 
Stand  all  engaged  to  make  me  blest. 

2  While  in  thy  house  I  now  appear 
Among  thy  friends,  and  seek  thy  face, 
O  may  I  see  thy  mercy  here, 

And  taste  the  blessings  of  thy  grace  ! 

3  Not  all  by  worldly  men  possest, 
Nor  all  the  joys  our  senses  know, 
Could  make  me  so  divinely  blest, 
Or  raise  my  cheerful  passions  so. 

4  My  life  itself,  without  thy  love, 
No  real  pleasure  could  afford, 

B  13 


17  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

'T would  but  a  tiresome  burden  prove, 
If  I  were  banished  from  the  Lord. 

5  Amidst  the  wakeful  hours  of  night, 
When  busy  cares  afflict  my  head, 
One  thought  of  thee  gives  new  delight, 
And  adds  refreshment  to  my  bed. 

6  I'll  lift  my  hands,  I'll  raise  my  voice, 
While  I  have  breath  to  pray  or  praise ; 
This  work  shall  make  my  heart  rejoice, 
And  fill  the  remnant  of  my  days. 

\%  C.  M.  Jervis. 

Homage  and  Devotion. 

1  With  sacred  joy  we  lift  our  eyes 

To  those  bright  realms  above, 
That  glorious  temple  in  the  skies, 
Where  dwells  eternal  love. 

2  Before  the  awful  throne  we  bow 

Of  heaven's  almighty  King, 
Here  we  present  the  solemn  vow, 
And  hymns  of  praise  we  sing. 

3  Thee  we  adore,  and,  Lord,  to  thee 

Our  filial  duty  pay ; 
Thy  service,  unconstrained  and  free, 
Conducts  to  endless  day. 

4  While  in  thy  house  of  prayer  we  kneel 

With  trust  and  holy  fear, 

14 


the  lord's  day.  18,  19 

Thy  mercy  and  thy  truth  reveal, 
And  lend  a  gracious  ear. 

5  With  fervour  teach  our  hearts  to  pray, 
And  tune  our  lips  to  sing, 
Nor  from  thy  presence  cast  away 
The  sacrifice  we  bring. 

J  §  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Humble  Worship. 

1  Great  King  of  kings,  eternal  God  ! 
Shall  mortal  creatures  dare  to  raise 
Their  songs  to  thy  supreme  abode, 
And  join  with  angels  in  thy  praise  ? 

2  Man,  O  how  far  removed  below ! 
Wrapt  in  the  shades  of  gloomy  night, 
His  brightest  day  can  only  show 

A  few  faint  streaks  of  distant  light. 

3  But  see !  the  bright,  the  morning  star 
Rising  shall  chase  the  shades  away ! 
His  beams,  resplendent  from  afar, 
Promise  a  sweet  immortal  day. 

4  To  him  our  longing  eyes  we  raise, 

Our  guide  to  Thee,  the  Great  Unknown, 
Through  him,  O  may  our  humble  praise 
Accepted  rise  before  thy  throne. 

19  L.  M.  A.  H. 

Christian  Worship. 

1  Sweet  are  the  praises  of  the  Lord, 
And  pleasant  'tis  his  courts  to  view ; 

15 


20,  21  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

To  hear  the  precepts  of  that  word 
Which  Jesus  taught  and  practised  too. 

2  His  true  disciples  may  wTe  prove, 
Unceasing  his  commands  obey ; 
By  our  obedience  speak  our  love, 
And  by  our  wrorks  our  faith  display. 

3  By  those  pure  rules  which  he  has  taught, 
Our  course  unerring  may  we  steer, 

So  life  shall  wTith  content  be  fraught, 
And  death  itself  be  void  of  fear. 


20  k.  M.  Doddridge. 
The  Divine  Blessing  implored. 

1  Eternal  Source  of  life  and  thought ! 
Be  all  beneath  thyself  forgot ; 

Whilst  thee,  great  Parent-mind,  we  own, 
In  prostrate  homage  round  thy  throne. 

2  O  may  we  live  before  thy  face, 
The  willing  subjects  of  thy  grace, 
And  through  each  path  of  duty  move 
With  filial  awe,  and  filial  love ! 

21  L-  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 
Public  Praise. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord ;  let  praise  employ, 
In  his  own  courts,  your  songs  of  joy, 
The  spacious  firmament  around 
Shall  echo  back  the  joyful  sound. 

16 


THE  LORD'S  DAY.  22 

2  Recount  his  works  in  strains  divine, 

His  wondrous  works,  how  bright  they  shine  ! 
Praise  him  for  his  almighty  deeds, 
Whose  greatness  all  your  praise  exceeds. 

3  To  praise  awake  your  tuneful  string, 
And  to  the  solemn  organ  sing, 
Harmonious  let  the  concert  rise, 
And  bear  the  rapture  to  the  skies. 

4  Let  all  whom  life  and  breath  inspire, 
Attend  and  join  the  blissful  choir ; 
But  chiefly  you  who  know  his  word 
Adore,  and  love,  and  praise  the  Lord. 


22  C-M-  Watts. 

Daily  and  Nightly  Devotion. 

1  Ye  that  obey  the  immortal  King, 

Attend  his  holy  place, 
Bow  to  the  glories  of  his  power, 
And  bless  his  wondrous  grace. 

2  Lift  up  your  hands  by  morning  light, 

And  send  your  souls  on  high ; 
Raise  your  admiring  thoughts  by  night 
Above  the  starry  sky. 

3  The  God  of  Zion  cheers  our  hearts 

With  kind  and  quickening  rays ; 
The  God  that  spread  the  heavens  abroad. 
And  rules  the  swelling  seas. 

B*  17 


23,  24  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

23  L-  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 
The  Sacrifice  of  the  Heart. 

1  When,  as  returns  this  solemn  day, 
Man  comes  to  meet  his  maker  God, 
What  rites,  what  honours  shall  he  pay  ? 
How  spread  his  sovereign's  praise  abroad  ? 

2  From  marble  domes  and  gilded  spires 
Shall  curling  clouds  of  incense  rise  ? 
And  gems,  and  gold,  and  garlands  deck 
The  costly  pomp  of  sacrifice  ? 

3  Vain,  sinful  man !  creation's  Lord 
Thy  golden  offerings  well  may  spare  : 
But  give  thy  heart,  and  thou  shalt  find, 
Here  dwells  a  God  who  heareth  prayer. 

24  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Eternal  Sabbath. 

1  Lord  of  the  sabbath  !  hear  our  vows, 
On  this  thy  day,  in  this  thy  house, 
And  own,  as  grateful  sacrifice, 

The  songs  which  from  thy  churches  rise. 

2  Thine  earthly  sabbaths,  Lord,  we  love ; 
But  there's  a  nobler  rest  above ; 

Thy  servants  to  that  rest  aspire, 
With  ardent  hope  and  strong  desire. 

3  There  languor  shall  no  more  oppress, 
The  heart  shall  feel  no  more  distress, 

18 


25 


No  groans  shall  mingle  with  the  songs 
That  dwell  upon  immortal  tongues. 

4  No  gloomy  cares  shall  there  annoy, 
No  conscious  guilt  disturb  our  joy, 
But  every  doubt  and  fear  shall  cease, 
And  perfect  love  give  perfect  peace. 

5  When  shall  that  glorious  day  begin, 
Beyond  the  reach  of  death  or  sin, 
Whose  sun  shall  never  more  decline, 
But  with  unfading  lustre  shine ! 

25  L.  M.      Cappe's  Selection. 

The  Christian  Sabbath, 

1  Again  our  weekly  labours  end, 
And  we  the  sabbath's  call  attend ; 
Improve,  my  soul,  the  sacred  rest, 
And  learn  for  ever  to  be  blest. 

2  This  day  may  our  devotions  rise 
To  heaven  a  grateful  sacrifice ; 

May  heaven  that  peace  divine  bestow, 
Which  none  but  they  who  feel  it  know. 

3  This  holy  calm  within  the  breast, 
Prepares  for  that  eternal  rest 
Which  for  the  sons  of  God  remains, 
The  end  of  cares,  and  toils,  and  pains. 

4  In  varied  scenes,  both  old  and  new, 
With  joy,  great  God  !  thy  works  we  view, 
In  praise  recall  thy  mercies  past, 

In  hope  thy  future  mercies  taste. 

19 


26,    27  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

5  In  holy  duties  let  the  day, 
In  holy  pleasures,  pass  away. 
How  sweet  this  sabbath  thus  to  spend, 
In  hope  of  that  which  ne'er  shall  end ! 


20  C.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

The  Sabbath  of  the  Soul. 

1  Sleep,  sleep  to-day,  tormenting  cares, 

Of  earth  and  folly  born, 
Ye  shall  not  dim  the  light  that  streams 
From  this  celestial  morn. 

2  To-morrow  will  be  time  enough 

To  feel  your  harsh  control ; 
Ye  shall  not  violate  this  day, 
The  sabbath  of  my  soul. 

3  Sleep,  sleep  forever,  guilty  thoughts ; 

Let  fires  of  vengeance  die ; 
And,  purged  from  sin,  may  I  behold 
A  God  of  purity. 

2^  CJ.  M.  Cotton. 

A  LoroVs  Day  Hymn. 

1  This  is  the  day  the  Lord  of  life 

Ascended  to  the  skies ; 
My  thoughts,  pursue  the  lofty  theme, 
And  to  the  heaven  arise. 

2  Let  no  vain  cares  divert  my  mind 

From  this  celestial  road ; 


THE  LORD'S  DAY.  28 

Nor  all  the  honours  of  the  earth 
Detain  my  soul  from  God. 

3  Think  of  the  splendors  of  that  place, 

The  joys  that  are  on  high ; 
Nor  meanly  rest  contented  here, 
With  worlds  beneath  the  sky. 

4  Heaven  is  the  birth-place  of  the  saints, 

To  heaven  their  souls  ascend ; 
The  Almighty  owns  his  favorite  race, 
As  Father  and  as  Friend. 

5  0  may  these  lovely  titles  prove 

My  comfort  and  defence, 
When  the  sick  couch  shall  be  my  lot, 
And  death  shall  call  me  hence. 


28  L,M.  Watts. 

A  Hymn  for  the  Lord's  Day. 

1  Sweet  is  the  work,  my  God,  my  King, 
To  praise  thy  name,  give  thanks  and  sing, 
To  show  thy  love  by  morning  light, 

And  talk  of  all  thy  truth  at  night. 

2  Sweet  is  the  day  of  sacred  rest, 

No  mortal  care  shall  seize  my  breast ; 
My  heart  shall  triumph  in  the  Lord, 
And  bless  his  works,  and  bless  his  word. 

3  And  I  shall  share  a  glorious  part, 
When  grace  hath  well  refined  my  heart : 
When  doubts  and  fears  no  more  remain , 
To  break  my  inward  peace  again. 

21 


29  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

4  Then  shall  I  see,  and  hear,  and  know 
All  I  desired  or  wished  below ; 
And  every  power  find  sweet  employ 
In  the  eternal  world  of  joy. 


29  C.  M.  Watts. 

Hymn  for  the  LoroVs  Day. 

1  This  is  the  day  the  Lord  hath  made, 

He  calls  the  hours  his  own, 
Let  heaven  rejoice,  let  earth  be  glad, 
And  praise  surround  the  throne. 

2  To-day  arose  our  glorious  head, 

And  death's  dread  empire  fell ; 
To-day  would  we  his  triumph  spread, 
And  all  its  wonders  tell. 

3  Hosanna !  the  anointed  king 

Ascends  his  destined  throne ; 
To  God  your  grateful  homage  bring, 
And  his  Messiah  own. 

4  Sent  by  his  Father's  love,  he  came 

To  bless  our  sinful  race  : 
Let  all  adore  the  Father's  name, 
And  celebrate  his  grace. 

5  Adore  him  in  the  hio-hest  strains 

The  church  on  earth  can  raise : 
The  highest  heavens,  in  which  he  reigns, 
Shall  give  him  nobler  praise. 

22 


the  lord's  day.  30,  31 


3Q  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  work,  O  Lord,  is  thine, 
And  wondrous  in  our  eyes ; 

This  day  proclaims  it  all  divine, 
This  day  did  Jesus  rise. 

2  We  hail  the  glorious  day, 
With  thankful  heart  and  voice, 

Which  chased  each  painful  doubt  away, 
And  bade  the  church  rejoice. 

3  Since  he  hath  left  the  grave, 
His  promises  are  true ; 

And  each  exalted  hope  he  gave, 
Confirmed  of  God  we  view. 

4  O  come  the  happy  hour, 
When  all  the  earth  shall  own 

Thy  Son,  O  God,  declared  with  power, 
And  worship  at  thy  throne. 

5  That  we  possess  thy  word 
Which  all  this  grace  displays, 

Accept,  thou  Father  of  our  Lord, 
Our  sacrifice  of  praise. 

31  C.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

The  Lord's  Day  Morning. 

1  Again  the  Lord  of  life  and  light 
Awakes  the  kindling  ray ; 

23 


32  CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND 

Unseals  the  eyelids  of  the  morn, 
And  pours  increasing  day. 

2  O  what  a  night  was  that,  which  wrapt 

The  heathen  world  in  gloom ! 
O  what  a  sun,  which  broke,  this  day, 
Triumphant  from  the  tomb  ! 

3  This  day  be  grateful  homage  paid, 

And  loud  hosannas  sung ; 
Let  gladness  dwell  in  every  heart, 
And  praise  on  every  tongue. 

4  Ten  thousand  differing  lips  still  join 

To  hail  this  welcome  morn, 
Which  scatters  blessings  from  its  wings 
To  nations  yet  unborn. 


32  C.  M.  Needham. 

The  Lord's  Day  Morning. 

1  Hail,  happy  morn !  whose  early  ray 

Beheld  the  Saviour  rise; 
Welcome  again,  auspicious  day ! 
To  our  rejoicing  eyes. 

2  On  this  blest  morn,  birth-day  of  hope  ! 

O  let  not  one  be  sad ; 
This  is  the  day  the  Lord  hath  made, 
And  bids  our  souls  be  glad. 

3  Come,  and  the  wonders  of  the  day 

In  notes  harmonious  sing ; 
Tell  to  the  world  the  conquest's  gained 
By  your  victorious  King. 

24 


the  lord's  day.  33 

O  happy  souls,  that  feel  the  power 
-  Of  his  attractive  love  ! 
With  him  they  die,  with  him  they  live, 
And  seek  the  things  above. 

3f$  P.  M.  Miss  Day. 

Attendance  upon  Religious  Institutions. 

I'll  bless  Jehovah's  glorious  name, 
Whose    goodness   heaven   and   earth    pro- 
claim, 

With  every  morning  light ; 
And  at  the  close  of  every  day, 
To  him  my  cheerful  homage  pay, 

Who  guards  me  through  the  night. 

Then  in  his  churches  to  appear, 
And  pay  my  humble  worship  there, 

Shall  be  my  sweet  employ. 
The  day  that  saw  my  Saviour  rise 
Shall  dawn  on  my  delighted  eyes 

With  pure  and  holy  joy. 

With  grateful  sorrow  in  my  breast, 
I'll  celebrate  the  dying  feast 

Of  my  departing  Lord ; 
And  while  his  perfect  love  I  view, 
His  bright  example  I'll  pursue, 

And  meditate  his  word. 
c  25 


PART  II. 

PRAISE   TO    GOD. 


34  L.  M.  Watts. 

God  Exalted  above  all  Praise. 

1  Eternal  Power,  whose  high  abode 
Becomes  the  majesty  of  God, 
Infinite  lengths  beyond  the  bounds 
Where  stars  revolve  their  little  rounds ! 

2  Far  in  the  depths  of  space  thy  throne 
Burns  with  a  lustre  all  its  own  : 

In  shining  ranks  beneath  thy  feet, 
Angelic  powers  and  splendors  meet, 

3  Lord,  what  shall  feeble  mortals  do  ? 
We  would  adore  our  Maker  too, 
With  lowly  minds  to  thee  we  cry, 
The  Great,  the  Holy,  and  the  High ! 

4  Something  we  learn  from  nature's  frame ; 
Thy  word  has  more  revealed  thy  name  : 
Yet  still  thy  greatness,  Lord,  we  find, 
Leaves  all  our  soaring  thoughts  behind. 

5  God  is  in  heaven,  and  man  below, 
Short  be  our  tunes,  our  words  be  few, 
A  sacred  reverence  checks  our  songs, 
And  praise  sits  silent  on  our  tongues. 

26 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  35.    36 

gg  C.  M.  Watts. 

God  the  Proper  Object  of  Praise. 

1  Awake,  ye  saints,  to  praise  your  King, 

Your  sweetest  passions  raise ; 
Your  pious  pleasure,  while  you  sing. 
Increasing  with  the  praise. 

2  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  wrorks  unknown 

Are  his  divine  employ ; 
But  still  his  saints  are  near  his  throne, 
His  treasure  and  his  joy. 

3  Heaven,  earth,  and  sea,  confess  his  hand, 

He  "bids  the  vapours  rise ; 
Lightning,  and  storm,  at  his  command, 
Sweep  through  the  sounding  skies. 

4  All  power  that  gods  or  kings  have  claimed 

Is  found  with  him  alone ; 
But  heathen  gods  should  ne'er  be  named 
Where  our  Jehovah's  known. 

5  Before  the  true,  the  living  God, 

We  bow  with  faith  and  fear ; 

He  makes  our  churches  his  abode, 

And  claims  our  honors  there. 

00  P.  M.  Watts, 

Praise  to  God  the  Universal  Sovereign. 

1  Let  all  the  earth  their  voices  raise. 
To  sing  the  choicest  hymns  of  praise, 
To  magnify  Jehovah's  name  : 

27 


37  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

His  glory  let  the  heathen  know, 
His  wonders  to  the  nations  show, 
And  all  his  mighty  works  proclaim. 

2  The  heathen  know  thy  glory,  Lord, 
The  wondering  nations  read  thy  word ;  . 

And  here  Jehovah's  name  is  known  : 
Our  worship  never  shall  be  paid 
To  gods  which  mortal  hands  have  made, 

Our  Maker  is  our  God  alone. 

3  He  framed  the  globe,  he  built  the  sky, 
He  made  the  shining  worlds  on  high, 

And  reigns  complete  in  glory  there  : 
His  robes  are  majesty  and  light ; 
His  splendor,  how  divinely  bright ! 

His  temple,  how  divinely  fair  ! 

4  Come  the  great  day,  the  glorious  hour, 
When  earth  shall  feel  his  saving  power, 

And  distant  nations  fear  his  name : 
Then  shall  the  race  of  man  confess 
The  beauty  of  his  holiness, 

And  in  his  courts  his  grace  proclaim. 


*J7  L.  M.  Merrick. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

1  Sing  to  the  Lord  a  joyful  song, 
Earth,  to  his  praise  the  note  prolong, 
Till  realms  remote  his  acts  have  known, 
And  man's  whole  race  his  wonders  own. 

28 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  38 

2  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  great  his  praise  ; 
What  god  like  him  our  fear  can  raise  ? 
Not  such  as  heathen  lands  afford, 
Created  first,  and  then  adored. 

3  Let  every  people,  every  tribe, 
Power,  glory,  strength,  to  him  ascribe  ; 
Yield  to  his  name  the  honors  due ; 
Oft  tojiis  courts  your  way  pursue. 

4  Before  the  beauty  of  his  shrine, 
Ye  saints,  in  low  prostration  join ; 
Ye  natives  of  each  distant  shore, 
His  power  revere,  his  name  adore. 


38  C.  M.  Watts, 

A  Hymn  of  Praise  to  God, 

1  Among  the  princes,  earthly  gods, 

There's  none  hath  power  divine ; 
Nor  is  their  nature,  mighty  Lord, 
Nor  are  their  works  like  thine. 

2  The  nations  thou  hast  made  shall  bring- 

Their  offerings  round  thy  throne ; 
For  thou  alone  dost  wondrous  things, 
For  thou  art  God  alone. 

3  Lord,  I  would  walk  with  holy  feet : 

Teach  me  thine  heavenly  ways ; 
And  all  my  noblest  powers  unite, 
In  God  my  Father's  praise. 

c*  29 


39,    40  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

30  P-  M.         Warrington  Col. 

The  God  and  Father  of  Christ  to  be  Praised. 

1  O  come,  all  ye  sons  of  Adam,  and  raise 
A  song  unto  God ;  how  lovely  bis  praise  ! 
Adore  him  who  reigns  in  his  glory  above, 
And  fills  the  wide  earth  with  his  tokens  of 

love. 

2  His  breath  is  your  life,  your  reason  a  ray 
Effused  from  his  light  to  guide  all  your  way ; 
He  heals  your  diseases,  your  wants  he  sup- 
plies, 

And  wipes  away  tears  from  the  penitent's 
eyes. 

3  Dash  down  your  false  gods  of  silver  and 

stone ; 
Him  worship  who  made  earth  and  heaven 

alone, 
His  prophet,  his  son,  his  salvation  receive. 
Flee,  flee  from  perdition,  obey  him  and  live. 

4  O  Father  of  men,  in  mercy  command 
The  gospel  to  shine  on  all  human  land ;   ■ 
That  far  as  the  sun  e'er  diffuses  his  flame, 
Thy  praises  may  rise  in  Messiah's  great 

name. 

40  C.  M.  Watts. 

Reverential  Worship. 

1   Sing  to  the  Lord  Jehovah's  name, 
And  in  his  strength  rejoice  : 

30 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  41 

When  his  salvation  is  our  theme, 
Exalted  be  our  voice. 

2  With  thanks  approach  his  awful  sight, 

And  songs  of  honour  sing  : 
The  Lord's  a  God  of  boundless  might, 
The  whole  creation's  King. 

3  Let  princes  hear,  let  angels  know, 

How  mean  their  natures  seem ; 
Those  gods  on  highland  gods  below, 
When  once  compared  with  Him. 

4  Earth,  with  its  caverns  dark  and  deep, 

Lies  in  his  spacious  hand ; 
He  fixed  the  sea  what  bounds  to  keep, 
And  where  the  hills  must  stand. 

5  Come,  and  with  humble  souls  adore ; 

Come,  kneel  before  his  face : 
O  may  the  creatures  of  his  power 
Be  children  of  his  grace  ! 


41  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

Come,  sound  his  praise  abroad, 
And  hymns  of  glory  sing  : 
Jehovah  is  the  mighty  God, 
The  universal  King. 

He  formed  the  deeps  unknown ; 
He  gave  the  seas  their  bound ; 

31 


42  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

The  watery  worlds  are  all  his  own, 
And  all  the  solid  ground. 

3  Come,  worship  at  his  throne  ; 
Come,  bow  before  the  Lord ; 

We  are  his  work,  and  not  our  own, 
He  formed  us  by  his  word. 

4  To-day  attend  his  voice, 
Nor  dare  provoke  his  rod; 

Come,  like  the  people  of  his  choice, 
And  own  your  gracious  God. 


ZJ-2  p-  M-  Salisbury  Col. 

Humble  Adoration. 

1  Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  ! 

Be  thy  glorious  name  adored ; 
Lord,  thy  mercies  never  fail ; 
Hail,  celestial  goodness,  hail ! 

2  Though  unworthy,  Lord,  thine  ear, 
Deign  our  humble  songs  to  hear ; 
Purer  praise  we  hope  to  bring, 
When  around  thy  throne  we  sing. 

3  There  no  tongue  shall  silent  be ; 
All  shall  join  in  harmony.; 

That  through  heaven's  capacious  round 
Praise  to  thee  may  ever  sound. 

4  Lord,  thy  mercies  never  fail ; 
Hail,  celestial  goodness,  hail ! 
Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord ! 

Be  thy  glorious  name  adored. 

32 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  -        43,  44 

43  C.  M.  Watts. 

Rational  and  Devout  Praise. 

1  O  for  a  shout  of  sacred  joy 

To  God  the  sovereign  King ! 
Let  every  land  their  tongues  employ, 
And  hymns  of  triumph  sing. 

2  In  Israel  stood  his  ancient  throne ; 

He  loved  that  chosen  race  : 
But  now  he  calls  the  world  his  own, 
And  heathens  taste  his  grace. 

3  While  angels  praise  the  heavenly  King, 

Let  mortals  learn  their  strains  : 
Let  all  the  earth  his  honors  sing ; 
O'er  all  the  earth  he  reigns. 

4  Rehearse  his  praise  with  awe  profound ; 

Let  knowledge  lead  the  song ; 
Nor  mock  him  with  a  solemn  sound, 
Upon  a  thoughtless  tongue. 

44  L.  M.  Tate. 

[Ps.  c] 

1  With  one  consent,  let  all  the  earth 
To  God  their  cheerful  voices  raise ; 
Glad  homage  pay  with  awful  mirth, 
And  sing  before  him  songs  of  praise  : 

2  Convinced  that  he  is  God  alone, 
From  whom  both  we  and  all  proceed ; 
We,  whom  he  chooses  for  his  own, 
The  flock  that  he  vouchsafes  to  feed. 

33 


45  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

3  O  enter  then  his  temple  gate, 
Thence  to  his  courts  devoutly  press ; 
And  still  your  grateful  hymns  repeat, 
And  still  his  name  with  praises  bless. 

4  For  he's  the  Lord,  supremely  good, 
His  mercy  is  for  ever  sure ; 

His  truth,  which  always  firmly  stood, 
To  endless  ages  shall  endure. 

£|§  L.  M.  Watts. 

[Ps.  c] 

1  Before  Jehovah's  awful  throne, 
Ye  nations,  bow  with  sacred  joy ; 
Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  alone ; 
He  can  create,  and  he  destroy. 

2  His  sovereign  power,  without  our  aid, 
Made  us  of  clay  and  formed  us  men ; 
And  when  like  wandering  sheep  we  strayed, 
He  brought  us  to  his  fold  again. 

3  We  are  his  people,  we  his  care, 
Our  souls  and  all  our  mortal  frame ; 
What  lasting  honors  shall  we  rear, 
Almighty  Maker,  to  thy  name  ! 

4  We'll  crowd  thy  gates  with  thankful  songs, 
High  as  the  heavens  our  voices  raise ; 
And  earth,  with  her  ten  thousand  tongues, 
Shall  fill  thy  courts  with  sounding  praise. 

5  Wide  as  the  world  is  thy  command ; 
Vast  as  eternity  thy  love ; 

34 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  46,  47,  48 

Firm  as  a  rock  thy  truth  must  stand, 
When  rolling  years  shall  cease  to  move. 

4©  L.  M.  Watts. 

Praise  from  all  Nations. 

1  From  all  that  dwell  below  the  skies, 
Let  the  Creator's  praise  arise ; 

Let  his  almighty  name  be  sung, 
Through  every  land,  by  every  tongue. 

2  Eternal  are  thy  mercies,  Lord  ! 
Eternal  truth  attends  thy  word  : 

Thy  praise  shall  sound  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  suns  shall  rise  and  set  no  more. 

4^  C.  M.  Edinburgh  Col. 

Praise  to  God  as  the  First  and  the  Last. 

1  I  am  the  first,  and  I  the  last ; 

Time  centres  all  in  me  : 
The  Almighty  God,  who  was,  and  is, 
And  ever  more  shall  be. 

2  To  him  let  every  tongue  be  praise, 

And  every  heart  be  love ; 
All  grateful  honors  paid  on  earth, 
And  nobler  songs  above. 

48  P.  M.  Walker's  Col. 

Glory  to  the  Most  High  God. 

1  Glory  be  to  God  on  high  !  Hallelujah! 
God,  whose  glory  fills  the  sky : 

35 


49  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

Lift  your  voice,  ye  people  all ; 
Praise  the  God  on  whom  ye  call. 

2  God  his  sovereign  sway  maintains  ; 
King  o'er  all  the  earth  he  reigns : 
All  to  him  lift  up  their  eye ; 

He  does  every  want  supply. 

3  Sons  of  earth,  the  triumph  join, 
Praise  him  with  the  host  divine ; 
Emulate  the  heavenly  powers ; 
Their  all-gracious  God  is  ours. 

4  Happy,  who  his  laws  obey  ! 
Them  he  rules  with  milder  sway ; 
Pure  and  holy  hearts  alone 

He  hath  chosen  for  his  own. 

5  Him,  whose  joy  is  to  restore, 
Him  let  all  our  hearts  adore : 
Earth  and  heaven  repeat  the  cry, 
Glory  be  to  God  on  high. 


49  C  M.  Merrick. 

Universal  Praise. 

Arise,  ye  people  !  clap  the  hand, 

Exulting  strike  the  chord ; 
Let  every  isle  and  every  land 

Confess  the  Almighty  Lord. 

Sing  to  our  God  in  loudest  strain, 

Perpetual  praises  sing : 
O'er  earth's  wide  bounds  extends  his  reign 

O  praise  our  God  and  King. 

36 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  50 

3  Prepare,  prepare,  with  tuneful  art, 

In  one  assembled  throng, 
Your  shares  of  harmony  to  part, 
And  raise  the  heaven-taught  song. 

4  His  sway  the  sons  of  human  kind 

With  humble  homage  own ; 
And  sanctity,  with  power  combined, 
Supports  his  lasting  throne. 

5  For  he,  whose  hands  amid  the  skies 

The  eternal  sceptre  wield, 
To  earth's  whole  race  his  care  applies, 
And  o'er  them  spreads  the  shield. 

|)0  C.  M.  New  Selection. 

Protection  and  Praise. 

1  Let  songs  of  praise  from  all  below 

To  thee,  O  God,  ascend, 
Whose  bounties  unexhausted  flow, 
Whose  mercies  know  no  end. 

2  But  chief  by  them  that  debt  be  paid, 

'Midst  dangers  circling  round, 
Who  still  in  thy  almighty  aid 
Have  sure  protection  found. 

3  The  wandering  exile,  doomed  to  stray 

O'er  many  a  desert  wide, 
Who  fearless  takes  his  lonely  way, 
With  God  his  guard  and  guide  : 

4  The  mariner,  who  tempts  the  sea 

When  storms  impending  lower3 

D  37 


51  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

Or  tempests  rage — yet  trusts  in  thee, 
And  owns  thy  mighty  power : 

5  The  wretch  who  pressed  by  countless  woes., 

That  no  cessation  see, 
Still  bids  his  steadfast  hope  repose, 
Almighty  Lord,  on  thee  : 

6  All,  all  shall  join  to  bless  thy  name, 

Whose  heavenly  aid  they  prove ; 
As  all  have  felt,  let  all  proclaim 
Thy  boundless  power  and  love. 

UJ  P.  M.  Birmingham  Col. 

Good  Men  Invited  to  Praise  God. 

1  Ye  works  of  God,  on  him  alone, 

His  footstool  earth,  high  heaven  his  throne, 

Be  all  your  praise  bestowed  : 
His  hand  the  beauteous  fabric  made, 
His  eye  the  finished  work  surveyed, 

And  saw  that  all  was  good. 

2  Ye  sons  of  men,  his  praise  display 
Who  stamped  his  image  on  your  clay, 

And  gave  it  power  to  move  : 
Where'er  ye  go,  where'er  ye  dwell, 
From  age  to  age  successive  tell 

The  wonders  of  his  love. 

3  Ye  spirits  of  the  just  and  good, 
Who,  panting  for  that  blest  abode, 

To  heaven's  bright  mansions  soar  : 
O  let  your  songs  his  praise  display, 
Till  nature's  self  shall  waste  away, 

And  time  shall  be  no  more. 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  52 

Praise  him,  ye  meek  and  humble  train  ! 
Who  shall  those  heavenly  joys  obtain, 

Prepared  for  souls  sincere  : 
Now  praise  him  till  you  take  your  way 
To  regions  of  eternal  day, 

To  dwell  for  ever  there. 


U2  P.  M.  *  Doddridge. 

Hymn  of  Praise. 

1  O  praise  ye  the  Lord,  prepare  a  new  song, 
And  let  all  his  saints  in  full  concert  join  ; 
With  voices  united  the  anthem  prolong, 
And  show  forth  his  praises  with  music  di- 
vine. 

2  Let   praise   to   the  Xord,    who   made   us, 

ascend, 
Let  each  grateful  heart  be  glad  in  its  King  : 
The  God  whom  we  worship  our  songs  will 

attend, 
And  view  with  complacence  the  offering  we 

bring. 

3  Be  joyful,  ye  saints,  sustained  by  his  might, 
And  let  your  glad  songs  awake  with  each 

morn : 
For  those  who  obey  him  are  still  his  delight, 
His  hand  with  salvation  the  meek  will  adorn. 

4  Then  praise  ye  the  Lord,  prepare  a  glad 

song, 
And  let  all  his  saints  in  full  concert  join  ;  , 

39 


53,  54  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

With  voices  united  the  anthem  prolong, 
And  show  forth  his  praises  with  music  di- 
vine. 

53  p*  M.  Fawcett. 
Universal  Praise. 

1  Praise  to  thee,  thou  great  Creator ! 
Praise  to  thee  from  every  tongue; 
Join,  my  soul,  with  every  creature, 
Join  the  universal  song. 

2  For. ten  thousand  blessings  given, 
For  the  hope  of  future  joy  ; 

Sound  his  praise  through  earth  and  heaven, 
Sound  Jehovah's  praise  on  high. 

54  C.  M.  Mrs.  Rowe. 
Praise  to  the  God  of  Nature. 

1  Begin,  my  soul,  the  lofty  strain ; 

In  solemn  accents  sing 
A  sacred  hymn  of  grateful  praise 
To  heaven's  almighty  King. 

2  Ye  curling  fountains,  as  ye  roll 

Your  silver  waves  along, 
Whisper  to  all  your  verdant  shores 
The.  subject  of  my  song. 

3  Retain  it  long,  ye  echoing  rocks, 

The  sacred  sound  retain, 
And  from  your  hollow  winding  caves 
Return  it  oft  again. 

40 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  55 

4  Bear  it,  ye  winds,  on  all  your  wings, 

To  distant  climes  away, 
And  round  the  wide-extended  world 
The  lofty  theme  convey. 

5  Take  the  glad  burden  of  his  name, 

Ye  clouds,  as  you  arise, 
Whether  to  deck  the  golden  morn 
Or  shade  the  evening  skies. 

6  Let  harmless  thunders  roll  along 

The  smooth  ethereal  plain, 
And  answer  from  the  crystal  vault 
To  every  bounding  strain. 

7  Long  let  it  warble  round  the  spheres 

And  echo  through  the  sky ; 
Let  angels  with  immortal  skill 
Improve  the  harmony : 

8  Whilst  we,  with  sacred  rapture  fired, 

The  great  Creator  sing, 
And  utter  consecrated  lays 
To  heaven's  eternal  King. 

55  L.  M.  Dyer, 

Hymn  to  the  Deity. 

1  Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  life, 
Sovereign  of  air,  and  earth,  and  sea ! 
All  nature  feels  thy  power,  and  all 
A  silent  homage  pay  to  thee. 

0 

2  Waked  by  thy  hand,  the  morning  sun 
Pours  forth  to  thee  its  earlier  rays, 

D*  41 


56  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

And  spreads  thy  glories  as  it  climbs, 
While  raptured  worlds  look  up  and  praise. 

3  The  moon  to  the  deep  shades  of  night 
Speaks  the  mild  lustre  of  thy  name  ; 
While  all  the  stars,  that  cheer  the  scene, 
Thee,  the  great  Lord  of  light,  proclaim. 

4  And  groves,  and  vales,  and  rocks,  and  hills. 
And  every  flower,  and  every  tree, 

Ten  thousand  creatures,  warm  with  life, 
Have  each  a  grateful  song  for  thee. 

5  But  man  was  formed  to  rise  to  heaven ; 
And,  blest  with  reason's  clearer  light, 
He  views  his  Maker  through  his  works, 
And  glows  with  rapture  at  the  sight. 

6  Nor  can  the  thousand  songs  that  rise, 
Whether  from  air,  or  earth,  or  sea, 
So  well  repeat  Jehovah's  praise, 

Or  raise  such  sacred  harmony. 

5g  L.  M.  Watts. 

Universal  Praise. 

1  Jehovah  !  'tis  a  glorious  word ; 
O  may  it  dwell  on  every  tongue ! 

But  they  who  best  have  known  the  Lord, 
Are  bound  to  raise  the  noblest  song. 

2  High  on  a  throne  his  glories  dwell, 
An  awful  throne  of  shining  bliss  ! 

Fly  through  the  world,  O  sun,  and  tell 
How  dark  thy  beams  compared  to  his. 

42 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  57 

3  Awake,  ye  tempests,  and  his  fame 
In  sounds  of  dreadful  praise  declare ; 
And  the  sweet  whisper  of  his  name 
Fill  every  gentler  breeze  of  air. 

4  Let  clouds  and  winds  and  waves  agree 
To  join  their  praise  with  blazing  fire ; 
Let  the  firm  earth  and  rolling  sea 

In  this  eternal  song  conspire. 

5  Ye  flowery  plains,  proclaim  his  skill ; 
Valleys,  lie  low  before  his  eye ; 

And  let  his  praise  from  every  hill 
Rise  tuneful  to  the  neighbouring  sky. 

6  Mortals,  can  you  refrain  your  tongue, 
While  nature  all  around  you  sings  ? 
O  for  a  shout  from  old  and  young, 
From  humble  swains  and  lofty  kings  ! 

7  Wide  as  his  vast  dominion  lies 
Make  the  Creator's  name  be  known ; 
Loud  as  his  thunder  shout  his  praise, 
And  sound  it  lofty  as  his  throne. 

5*7  P.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Ye  tribes  of  Adam,  join 

With  heaven  and  earth  and  seas, 
And  offer  notes  divine 
To  your  Creator's  praise. 
Ye  holy  throng 
Of  angels  bright, 

43 


58  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

In  worlds  of  light 
Begin  the  song. 

2  Thou  sun  with  dazzling  rays, 
And  moon  that  rulest  the  night, 
Shine  to  your  Maker's  praise, 
With  stars  of  twinkling  light. 

His  power  declare, 
Ye  floods  on  high, 
And  clouds  that  fly 
In  empty  air. 

3  The  shining  worlds  above 
In  glorious  order  stand, 
Or  in  swift  courses  move 
By  his  supreme  command. 

He  spake  the  word, 
And  all  their  frame 
From  nothing  came 
To  praise  the  Lord. 

4  He  moved  their  mighty  wheels 
In  unknown  ages  past, 

And  each  his  word  fulfils 
While  time  and  nature  last. 

In  different  ways 

His  works  proclaim 

His  wondrous  name 

And  speak  his  praise. 

5§  S.  M.  Watts. 

Universal  Praise. 

L       Let  every  creature  join 
To  praise  the  eternal  God, 

44 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  59 

Ye  heavenly  hosts,  the  song  begin, 
And  sound  his  name  abroad. 

Thou  sun  with  golden  beams, 
And  moon  with  paler  rays, 
Ye  starry  lights,  ye  twinkling  flames, 
Shine  to  your  Maker's  praise. 

He  built  those  worlds  above, 
And  fixed  their  wondrous  frame ; 
By  his  command  they  stand  or  move, 
And  ever  speak  his  name. 

Ye  vapours,  when  ye  rise, 
Or  fall  in  showers  or  snow, 
Ye  thunders,  murmuring  round  the  skies, 
His  power  and  glory  show. 

Wind,  hail,  and  flashing  fire, 
Agree  to  praise  the  Lord, 
When  ye  in  dreadful  storms  conspire 
To  execute  his  word. 

By  all  his  works  above 
His  honors  be  exprest ; 
But  they  who  taste  his  wondrous  love, 
Should  sing  his  praises  best. 

50  L.  M.  Williams's  Col. 

The  same  subject. 

Celestial  worlds !  your  Maker's  name 
Resound  through  every  shining  coast : 
Our  God  a  nobler  praise  will  claim, 
Where  he  unfolds  his  glories  most, 

45 


60  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

2  Stupendous  globe  of  flaming  day  ! 
Praise  him  in  thy  sublime  career ; 

He  struck  from  night  thy  peerless  ray, 
Gave  thee  thy  path,  and  guides  thee  there 

3  Ye  starry  lamps,  to  whom  'tis  given 
Night's  sable  horrors  to  illume ! 

Praise  him  who  hung  you  high  in  heaven, 
With  vivid  fires  to  gild  the  gloom. 

4  Lightnings,  that  round  the  Eternal  plav, 
Thunders,  that  from  his  arm  are  hurled, 
The  grandeur  of  your  God  convey, 
Blazing,  or  bursting  on  the  world. 

5  From  clime  to  clime,  from  shore  to  shore, 
Be  the  almighty  God  adored  : 

He  made  the  nations  by  his  power, 
And  rules  them  with  his  sovereign  word. 

6  At  once  let  nature's  ample  round 
To  God  the  vast  thanksgiving  raise  : 
His  high  perfection  knows  no  bound, 
But  fills  the  immensity  of  space. 

60  P.  M.  Ogilvib. 

The  same  subject. 

Begin,  my  soul,  the  exalted  lay, 
Let  each  enraptured  thought  obey, 

And  praise  the  Almighty  name ;' 
Let  heaven  and  earth  and  seas  and  skis* 
In  one  harmonious  concert  rise, 

To  swell  the  glorious  theme. 

46 


! 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  60 

2  Ye  angels,  catch,  the  joyful  sound, 
While  all  the  adoring  throngs  around 

His  wondrous  mercy  sing ; 
Let  all  who  fill  the  realms  above 
Awake  the  tuneful  soul  of  love, 

And  toucli  the  sweetest  string. 

3  Thou  heaven  of  heavens,  his  vast  abode, 
Ye  clouds,  proclaim  your  Maker,  God ; 

Ye  thunders,  speak  his  power  : 
Lo  !  on  the  lightning's  gleamy  wing 
In  triumph  rides  the  eternal  King : 

The  astonished  worlds  adore. 

4  Ye  deeps,  whose  roaring  billows  rise 
To  join  the  thunders  of  the  skies, 

Praise  him  who  bids  you  roll ; 
His  praise  in  softer  notes  declare, 
Each  whispering  breeze  of  yielding  air, 

And  breathe  it  to  the  soul. 

5  Wake,  all  ye  feathered  throngs,  and  sing ; 
Ye  cheerful  warblers  of  the  spring, 

Harmonious  anthems  raise 
To  him  who  shaped  your  finer  mould, 
Who  tipped  your  glittering  wings  with  gold, 

And  tuned  your  voice  to  praise. 

6  Let' man,  by  nobler  passions  swayed, 
The  feeling  heart,  the  judging  head 

In  heavenly  praise  employ; 
Spread  the  Creator's  name  around, 
Till  heaven's  extended  arch  rebound 

The  general  burst  of  joy. 

47 


61  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

gj  P.  M.  Williams's  Col. 

The  same  subject. 

1  O  for  a  hymn  of  universal  praise  ! 

Its  Maker's  name  let  every  creature  raise : 
Ye  lofty  heavens,  begin  the  solemn  sound, 
And  let  it  spread  the  wide  creation  round. 

2  Bless  him,  thou  sun,  great  ruler  of  the  day, 
Before  whose  splendors   thine    must  fade 

away; 
To  him  the  honors  paid  to  thee  restore, 
And  teach  mankind  thy  Maker  to  adore. 

3  Ye  moon  and  stars,  who  with  more  feeble 

light, 
Break  through  the  shades  and  gild  the  gloom 

of  night, 
Far  as  you  can  diffuse  your  feeble  rays, 
Tell    his   great  name   and   propagate   his 

praise. 

4  Let  mists  and  clouds  and  meteors  all  con- 

spire 
In  this  blest  work,  and  help  to  fill  the  choir : 
While  loud  his  praises  foaming  billows  roar, 
And  seas  resound  his  name  from  shore  to 

shore. 

5  Ye  fertile  plains,  display  your  gayest  pride, 
Ye  valleys,  to  his  honor  low  subside ; 
And  at  his  call,  ye  mountains,  stately  rise. 
And  bear  his  praises  to  the  neighboring 

skies. 

48 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  62 

Loud  as  his  thunders  let  his  praises  sound, 
From  heaven  to  earth,  from  world  to  world 

rebound ; 
Let  art  and  nature  in  the  song  conspire, 
And  the  whole  world  become  one  sacred 

choir. 


gg  C.  M.  Mrs.  Rowe. 

Praise  from  all  Nature. 

1  The  glorious  armies  of  the  sky 

To  thee,  almighty  King, 
Harmonious  anthems  consecrate, 
And  hallelujahs  sing. 

2  But  still  their  most  exalted  nights 

Fall  vastly  short  of  thee  : 
How  distant  then  must  human  praise 
From  thy  perfections  be  ! 

3  Yet  how,  great  God,  shall  we  refrain, 

When  to  our  raptured  sense 
Each  creature  in  its  various  ways 
Displays  thine  excellence  ? 

4  The  brilliant  lights  that  shine  above 

In  bright  magnificence, 
Reveal  their  mighty  Maker's  praise 
With  silent  eloquence. 

5  The  blushes  of  the  morn  confess 

That  thou  art  much  more  fair, 
When  in  the  east  its  beams  revive 
To  guild  the  fields  of  air. 

E  49 


63  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 

6  The  fragrant,  the  refreshing  breath 
Of  every  flowery  bloom, 
In  balmy  whispers  owns  from  thee 
Their  pleasing  odors  come. 

?  The  warbling  birds,  the  hollow  winds, 
And  water's  murmuring  fall, 
To  praise  the  First  Almighty  cause, 
With  different  voices  call. 

8  Thy  numerous  works  exalt  thee  thus, 
And  shall  man  silent  be  ? 
No,  rather  let  us  cease  to  breathe, 
Than  cease  from  praising  thee. 

©3  C.  M.  Jervis. 

Praise  the  Peculiar  Duty  of  Man. 

1  Lord  of  the  world's  majestic  frame, 

Stupendous  are  thy  ways  ; 
Thy  various  works  declare  thy  name, 
And  all  resound  thy  praise. 

2  The  heavens  thy  matchless  skill  display, 

With  all  the  stars  of  light ; 
The  splendid  sun  that  rules  the  day, 
The  silver  moon  by  night, 

3  And  while  those  radiant  orbs  of  light, 

That  shine  from  pole  to  pole, 
In  silent  harmony  unite 

To  praise  thee  as  they  roll ; 

4  0  shall  not  we  of  human  race, 

The  glorious  concert  join  ? 

50 


PRAISE  TO  GOD.  64 

Shall  not  the  children  of  thy  grace 
Attempt  the  theme  divine  ? 

5  Not  all  the  feeble  notes  of  time 

Can  show  forth  God's  high  praise  : 
Nor  all  the  noblest  strains  sublime 

That  earth  or  heaven  can  raise.  , 

6  Yet  this  shall  be  our  best  employ, 

Through  life's  uncertain  days  ; 
And  in  the  realms  of  boundless  joy, 
Eternal  be  thy  praise. 

gj.  L.  M.  Watts. 

Desiring  to  Praise  God. 

1  Be  thou  exalted,  O  my  God, 

Above  the  heavens  where  angels  dwell : 
Thy  power  on  earth  be  known  abroad, 
And  land  to  land  thy  wonders  tell. 

2  My  heart  is  fixed ;  my  song  shall  raise 
Immortal  honors  to  thy  name  : 
Awake,  my  tongue,  to  sound  his  praise, 
My  tongue,  the  glory  of  my  frame. 

3  In  thee,  my  God,  are  all  the  springs 
Of  boundless  love,  and  grace  unknown  ; 
All  the  rich  blessings  nature  brings, 
Are  gifts  descending  from  thy  throne. 

4  High  o'er  the  earth  thy  mercy  reigns, 
And  reaches  to  the  utmost  sky : 
Thy  truth  to  endless  years  remains, 
When  lower  worlds  dissolve  and  die. 

51 


65  PRAISE  TO  GOD. 


Be  thou  exalted,  O  my  God, 
Above  the  heavens  where  angels  dwell : 
Thy  power  on  earth  be  known  abroad, 
And  land  to  land  thy  wonders  tell. 


,    |J5  V.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Everlasting  Praise. 

1  My  God  !  my  King  !  to  thee  I'll  raise 

My  voice,  and-  all  my  powers : 
Unwearied  songs  of  sacred  praise 
Shall  fill  the  circling  hours. 

2  Thy  name  shall  dwell  upon  my  tongue, 

While  suns  shall  set  and  rise ; 
And  tune  my  everlasting  song, 
When  all  creation  dies. 


PART   III. 

THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 


gg  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Creation  of  the  World. 

1  Let  heaven  arise,  let  earth  appear, 

Said  the  Almighty  Lord ; 
The  heavens  arose,  the  earth  appeared 
At  his  creating  word. 

2  Thick  darkness  brooded  o'er  the  deep, 

God  said,  Let  there  be  light! 
The  light  shone  forth  with  smiling  ray, 
And  scattered  ancient  night. 

3  He  bade  the  clouds  ascend  on  high ; 

The  clouds  ascend,  and  bear 
A  watery  treasure  to  the  sky, 
And  float  upon  the  air. 

4  The  liquid  element  below 

Was  gathered  by  his  hand ; 
The  rolling  seas  together  flow, 
And  leave  the  solid  land. 

5  With  herbs  and  plants  and  fruitful  trees 

The  new-formed  globe  he  crowned, 
Ere  there  was  rain  to  bless  the  soil, 
Or  sun  to  warm  the  ground. 

e*  53 


67  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

6  Then  high  in  heaven's  resplendent  arch 

He  placed  those  orbs  of  light ; 
He  caused  the  snn  to  rule  the  day, 
The  moon  to  rule  the  night. 

7  Next,  from  the  deep,  the  Almighty  King 

Did  vital  beings  frame ; 
Fowls  of  the  air  of  every  wing, 
And  fish  of  every  name. 

8  To  all  the  various  brutal  tribes 

He  gave  their"  wondrous  birth ; 
At  once  the  lion  and  the  worm 
Sprang  from  the  teeming  earth. 

9  Then,  chief,  o'er  all  his  works  below, 

At  last  was  Adam  made ; 
His  Maker's  image  blessed  his  soul, 
And  glory  crowned  his  head. 

10  Fair  in  the  Almighty  Maker's  eye 

The  whole  creation  stood ; 
He  viewed  the  fabric  he  had  raised ; 
His  word  pronounced  it  good. 

gty  C.  M.  Dodsley's  Poems. 

God  the  Creator  of  Mankind. 

1  God  of  our  lives,  whose  bounteous  care 

First  gave  us  power  to  move, 
How  shall  our  thankful  hearts  declare 
The  wonders  of  thy  love  ? 

2  While  void  of  thought  and  sense  we  lay, 

Dust  of  our  parent  earth, 

54 


THE    WORKS    OF    GOD    CELEBRATED.         68 

Thy  breath  informed  the  sleeping  clay, 
And  called  us  into  birth. 

3  Thine  eye  beheld  in  perfect  view 

The  yet  unfinished  plan ; 
The  imperfect  lines  thy  pencil  drew, 
And  formed  the  future  man. 

4  O  may  this  frame,  which  rising  grew 

Beneath  thy  forming  hands, 
Be  studious  ever  to  pursue 
Whate'er  thy  will  commands. 

0§  C.  M.  Grove. 

God  the  Creator. 

1  0  Lord,  how  excellent  thy  name, 

How  glorious  to  behold  ! 
Engraven  fair  on  all  thy  works 
In  characters  of  gold  ! 

2  On  heaven's  unmeasurable  face 

In  lines  immensely  great, 
In  small,  on  every  leaf  and  flower 
Creator-God  is  writ. 

3  Though  reason  be  not  given  to  all, 

Nor  voice  to  thee,  O  sun, 
Their  Maker  all  proclaim,  and  here 
Their  language  is  but  one. 

4  From  land  to  land,  from  world  to  world, 

Thy  fame  is  echoed  round ; 
And  ages  as  they  pass  transmit 
The  never-dying  sound. 

55 


69  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

5  Angels,  the  eldest  sons  of  God, 

Began  the  lofty  song ; 
They  saw  the  heavens  expand  abroad, 
And  earth  on  nothing  hung, 

6  Then  man,  the  last  and  noblest  wrork 

Of  all  this  nether  frame, 
With  the  first  vital  breath  he  drew 
Confessed  from  whence  he  came. 

7  O  let  us  all  give  praise  to  God, 

And  magnify  his  name, 
The  wonders  of  his  power  and  love 
Let  the  wThole  world  proclaim. 

09  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Voice  of  Nature. 

1  Almighty  goodness,  power  divine, 
The  fields  and  verdant  meads  display, 
And  bless  the  hand  that  made  them  shine 
With  various  charms  profusely  gay. 

2  For  man  and  beast  here  daily  food 
In  wide  diffusive  plenty  grows, 
And  there  for  drink  the  crystal  flood 
In  streams  sweet-winding  gently  flows. 

3  By  cooling  streams  and  softening  showers 
The  vegetable  race  are  fed, 

And  trees  and  plants  and  herbs  and  flowers 
Their  Maker's  bounty  smiling  spread. 

4  The  flowery  tribes  all  blooming  rise 
Above  the  faint  attempts  of  art ; 

56 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  70 

Their  bright  inimitable  dyes 
Speak  sweet  conviction  to  the  heart. 

5  Ye  curious  minds,  who  roam  abroad, 
And  trace  creation's  wonders  o'er, 
Confess  the  footsteps  of  the  God, 
And  bow  before  him  and  adore. 


%Q  L.  M.  Addison. 

The  Voice  of  God  in  his  Works. 

1  The  spacious  firmament  on  high, 
With  all  the  blue  ethereal  sky, 

And  spangled  heavens,  a  shining  frame, 
Their  great  original  proclaim. 

2  The  unwearied  sun  from  day  to  day 
Doth  his  Creator's  power  display, 
And  publishes  to  every  land, 

The  work  of  an  almighty  hand. 

3  Soon  as  the  evening  shades  prevail, 
The  moon  takes  up  the  wondrous  tale ; 
And  nightly  to  the  listening  earth 
Repeats  the  story  of  her  birth  : 

4  Whilst  all  the  stars  which  round  her  burn, 
And  all  the  planets  in  their  turn, 
Confirm  the  tidings  as  they  roll, 

And  spread  the  truth  from  pole  to  pole. 

5  What  though  in  solemn  silence  all 
Move  round  this  dark  terrestrial  ball ; 
What  though  no  real  voice  nor  sound 
Amidst  their  radiant  orbs  be  found  ? 

57 


71,  72       THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

6  In  reason's  ear  they  all  rejoice, 
And  ntter  forth  a  glorious  voice ; 
For  ever  singing  as  they  shine, 
"  The  hand  that  made  us  is  divine." 

71  S.  M.  Watts. 
Praise  to  the  Creator. 

1  Almighty  maker,  God, 
How  wondrous  is  thy  name  ! 

Thy  glories  how  diffused  abroad 
Through  all  creation's  frame  ! 

2  Nature  in  every  dress 
Her  humble  homage  pays ; 

And  does  a  thousand  ways  express 
Her  undissembled  praise. 

3  My  soul  would  rise  and  sing 
To  her  Creator  too  : 

Fain  would  my  tongue  adore  my  King, 
And  pay  the  homage  due. 

4  In  joy,  O  let  me  spend 
The  remnant  of  my  days ; 

And  oft  to  God,  my  soul !  ascend 
In  grateful  songs  of  praise. 

72  C.  M.         Liverpool  Old  Col. 
Devout  Contemplation  of  Creation. 

1  Look  round,  O  man  !  survey  this  globe ; 
Speak  of  creating  power  : 
See,  nature  gives  a  different  robe 
To  every  herb  and  flower. 

58 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  73 

2  See  various  beings  fill  the  air 

And  people  earth  and  sea ; 
What  grateful  changes  form  the  year, 
How  constant  night  and  day  ! 

3  Next  raise  thine  eye,  the  vast  expanse 

A  power  unbounded  shows ; 
See  round  the  sun  the  planets  dance 
And  various  worlds  compose. 

4  Then  turn  into  thyself,  O  man, 

With  wonder  view  thy  soul, 
Confess  his  power  who  laid  each  plan 
And  still  directs  the  whole. 

5  And  let  obedience  to  his  laws 

Thy  gratitude  proclaim 
To  Him,  the  first  Almighty  Cause, 
Jehovah  is  his  name. 


^3  C.  M.  Gentleman's  Mag, 

The  God  of  Nature  Invoked. 

Hail,  great  Creator,  wise  and  good ! 

To  thee  our  songs  we  raise ; 
Nature  through  all  her  various  scenes 

Invites  us  to  thy  praise. 

At  morning,  noon,  and  evening  mild, 
Fresh  wonders  strike  our  view, 

And  while  we  gaze  our  hearts  exult 
With  transports  ever  new. 

Thy  glory  beams  in  every  star 
Which  gilds  the  gloom  of  night, 

59 


74  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

And  decks  the  smiling  face  of  morn 
With  rays  of  cheerful  light. 

4  The  lofty  hill,  the  humble  lawn, 
With  countless  beauties  shine  ; 

The  silent  grove,  the  awful  shade, 
Proclaim  thy  power  divine. 

5  Great  nature's  God,  still  may  these  scenes 

Our  serious  hours  engage, 
Still  may  our  grateful  hearts  consult 
Thy  works'  instructive  page. 

6  And  while  in  all  thy  wondrous  works 

Thy  varied  love  we  see, 
Still  may  the  contemplation  lead 
Our  hearts,  O  God,  to  thee. 

•J^  P.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Perfections  and  Providence  of  God. 

1  Lift  your  voice  and  joyful  sing 
Praises  to  your  heavenly  King, 
For  his  blessings  far  extend, 
And  his  mercy  knowrs  no  end. 

2  Be  the  Lord  your  noblest  theme, 
Who  of  gods  is  God  supreme ; 
He  to  wrhom  all  lords  beside 
Bow  the  knee  and  veil  their  pride. 

3  Who  asserts  his  just  command 
By  the  wonders  of  his  hand ; 

He  whose  wisdom  throned  on  high 
Built  the  mansions  of  the  sky  : 

60 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

4  He,  who  bade  the  watery  deep 
Under  earth's  foundation  sleep ; 
And  the  orbs  that  gild  the  pole 
Through  the  boundless  ether  roll ; 

5  Thee,  O  sun,  whose  powerful  ray- 
Rules  the  empire  of  the  day ; 

You,  O  moon  and  stars,  whose  light 
Gilds  the  darkness  of  the  night. 

6  He  with  food  sustains,  O  earth, 

All  who  claim  from  thee  their  birth ; 
For  his  blessings  far  extend, 
And  his  mercy  knows  no  end. 

*yU  P.  M.  Milton, 

The  same  subject. 

1  Let  us  with  a  joyful  mind 
Praise  the  Lord,  for  he  is  kind : 
For  his  mercies  shall  endure, 
Ever  faithful,  ever  sure. 

2  Let  us  sound  his  name  abroad, 
For  of  gods  he  is  the  God, 
Who  by  wisdom  did  create 
Heaven's  expanse,  and  all  its  state  : 

3  Did  the  solid  earth  ordain 
How  to  rise  above  the  main ; 
Who,  by  his  commanding  might, 
Filled  the  new-made  world  with  light ; 

4  Caused  the  golden-tressed  sun, 
All  the  day  his  course  to  run ; 

F  61 


76  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

And  the  moon  to  shine  by  night, 
'Mid  her  spangled  sisters  bright. 

5  All  his  creatures  God  does  feed. 
His  full  hand  supplies  their  need  : 
Let  us  therefore  warble  forth 
His  high  majesty  and  worth. 

6  He  his  mansion  hath  on  high, 
Above  the  reach  of  mortal  eye  ; 
And  his  mercies  shall  endure, 
Ever  faithful,  ever  sure. 

76  P.  M.  Sandys. 

The  Harmony  of  Praise. 

1  Thou  who  sitt'st  enthroned  above  ! 
Thou,  in  whom  we  live  and  move ! 
Thou,  who  art  most  great,  most  high ! 
God,  from  all  eternity  ! 

2  0  how  swreet,  how  excellent, 

'Tis  when  tongue  and  heart  consent; 
Grateful  hearts  and  joyful  tongues. 
Hymning  thee  in  tuneful  songs ! 

3  When  the  morning  paints  the  skies. 
When  the  stars  of  evening  rise, 
We  thy  praises  will  record, 
Sovereign  Ruler  !  mighty  Lord  ! 

4  Decks  the  spring  with  flowers  the  field  ? 
Harvest  rich  doth  autumn  yield  ? 
Giver  of  all  good  below  ! 

Lord  !  from  thee  these  blessings  now  ! 

5  Sovereign  Ruler  !  mighty  Lord  ! 
We  thy  praises  will  record  : 

62 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  77 

Giver  of  these  blessings,  we 
Pour  the  grateful  song  to  thee. 

>yy  L.  M.  Doddridge, 

The  Year  crowned  with  Goodness. 

1  Eternal  Source  of  every  joy, 
Well  may  thy  praise  our  lips  employ 
While  in  thy  temple  we  appear ; 

Thy  goodness  crowns  the  circling  year. 

2  Wide  as  the  wheels  of  nature  roll, 
Thy  hand  supports  the  steady  pole  : 
By  thee  the  sun  is  taught  to  rise, 
And  darkness  when  to  veil  the  skies. 

3  The  flowery  spring  at  thy  command 
Perfumes  the  air  and  paints  the  land, 
The  summer-rays  with  vigor  shine 
To  raise  the  corn  and  cheer  the  vine. 

4  Thy  hand  in  autumn  richly  pours 
Through  all  our  coasts  redundant  stores, 
And  winters,  softened  by  thy  care, 

No  more  a  face  of  horror  wear. 

5  Seasons  and  months  and  weeks  and  days, 
Demand  successive  songs  of  praise ; 
Still  be  the  cheerful  homage  paid 

With  morning  light  and  evening  shade. 

6  O  may  our  more  harmonious  tongues 
In  worlds  unknown  pursue  the  songs, 
And  in  those  brighter  courts  adore 
Where  days  and  years  revolve  no  more. 

63 


73  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

7§  P.  M.  John  Taylor. 

Thanksgiving  for  fruitful  Seasons. 

1  Rejoice,  the  Lord  is  King  ! 
Your  Lord  and  King  adore ; 
Mortals,  give  thanks  and  sing, 
And  triumph  evermore  : 

Lift  up  your  hearts,  lift  up  your  voice, 
Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 

2  His  wintry  north  winds  blow, 
Loud  tempests  rush  amain ; 
Yet  his  thick  flakes  of  snow 
Defend  the  infant  grain  : 

Lift  up  your  hearts,  lift  up  your  voice, 
Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 

3  He  wakes  the  genial  spring, 
Perfumes  the  balmy  air ; 
The  vales  their  tribute  bring, 
The  promise  of  the  year  : 

Lift  up  your  hearts,  lift  up  your  voice, 
Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 

4  High  from  the  ethereal  plain 
Bright  suns  their  influence  fling ; 
He  gives  the  welcome  rain, 
That  makes  the  valleys  sing : 

Lift  up  your  hearts,  lift  up  your  voice, 
Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 

5  He  leads  the  circling  year, 
His  flocks  the  hills  adorn ; 
He  fills  the  golden  ear, 

And  loads  the  fields  with  corn  : 

64 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  79 

O  happy  mortals,  raise  your  voice, 
Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 

Lead  on  your  fleeting  train, 

Ye  years,  ye  months  and  days ! 

O  bring  the  eternal  reign 

Of  love,  and  joy,  and  praise  : 

Lift  up  your  hearts,  lift  up  your  voice, 

Rejoice,  in  sacred  lays  rejoice. 


>yCJ  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Providence  of  God  in  the  Seasons. 

1  With  songs  and  honors  sounding  loud, 

Address  the  Lord  on  high ; 
Over  the  heavens  he  spreads  his  cloud, 
And  waters  veil  the  sky. 

2  He  sends  his  showers  of  blessings  down 

To  cheer  the  plains  below ; 
He  makes  the  grass  the  mountains  crown, 
And  corn  in  valleys  grow. 

3  He  gives  the  grazing  ox  his  meat ; 

He  hears  the  ravens  cry ; 
But  man,  who  tastes  his  finest  wheat, 
Should  raise  his  honors  high, 

4  His  steady  counsels  change  the  face 

Of  the  declining  year ; 
He  bids  the  sun  cut  short  his  race, 
And  wintry  days  appear. 

5  His  hoary  frost,  his  fleecy  snow, 

Descend,  and  clothe  the  ground ; 

f*  65 


80  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

The  liquid  streams  forbear  to  flow, 
In  icy  fetters  bound. 

6  He  sends  his  word  and  melts  the  snow, 

The  fields  no  longer  mourn : 
He  calls  the  warmer  gales  to  blow, 
And  bids  the  spring  return. 

7  The  changing  wind,  the  flying  cloud, 

Obey  his  mighty  word  : 
With  songs  and  honors  sounding  loud, 
Praise  ye  the  sovereign  Lord. 

§0  C.  M.  Needham. 

The  Seasons  ordained  by  God. 

1  The  rolling  year,  Almighty  Lord  ! 

Obeys  thy  powerful  nod ; 

Each  season  as  it  silent  moves 

Declares  the  present  God. 

2  Waked  by  thy  voice,  out  steps  the  spring, 

In  living  green  new  drest ; 
On  hills,  in  vales,  through  fields  and  groves, 
Thy  beauties  stand  confest. 

3  The  sun  calls  forth  the  summer  months, 

Nor  do  the  hours  delay ; 
The  fruits  with  varied  colors  glow 
Beneath  his  ripening  ray. 

4  Thy  bounty,  Lord,  in  autumn  shines, 

And  spreads  a  common  feast ; 
He  that  regards  his  favorite,  man, 
Will  not  neglect  the  beast. 

66 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  81 

When  winter  rears  her  hoary  head, 
And  shows  her  farrowed  brow, 

In  storms  and  tempests,  frosts  and  snows, 
How  awful,  Lord,  art  thou ! 

The  rolling  year,  Almighty  Lord, 

Obeys  thy  powerful  nod ; 
Each  season  as  it  silent  moves 

Declares  the  present  God. 


gj  *  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Praise  to  the  God  of  the  Seasons. 

1  Sing  to  the  Lord,  let  praise  inspire 
The  grateful  voice,  the  tuneful  lyre ; 
In  strains  of  joy  proclaim  abroad 
The  endless  glories  of  our  God. 

2  He  counts  the  hosts  of  starry  flames, 
Knows  all  their  natures  and  their  names ; 
Great  is  our  God,  his  wondrous  power 
And  boundless  wisdom  we  adore. 

3  He  veils  the  sky  with  treasured  showers, 
On  earth  the  plenteous  blessing  pours, 
The  mountains  smile  in  lively  green, 
And  fairer  blooms  the  flowery  scene. 

4  His  bounteous  hand,  great  Spring  of  good, 
Provides  the  brute  creation  food, 

He  feeds  the  ravens  when  they  cry, 
All  nature  lives  beneath  his  eye. 

5  Dear  to  the  Lord,  for  ever  dear 

The  heart  where  he  implants  his  fear, 

67 


82,  83       THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

The  souls  who  on  his  grace  rely, 
These,  these  are  lovely  in  his  eye. 

82  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  'Tis  by  thy  strength  the  mountains  stand, 

God  of  eternal  power, 
The  sea  grows  calm  at  thy  command, 
And  tempests  cease  to  roar. 

2  Thy  morning  light  and  evening  shade 

Successive  comforts  bring ; 
Thy  plenteous  fruits  make  harvest  glad, 
Thy  flowers  adorn  the  spring. 

3  Seasons  and  times,  and  moons  and  hours, 

Heaven,  earth  and  air  are  thine ; 
When  clouds  distil  in  fruitful  showers, 
The  Author  is  divine. 

4  Those  floating  cisterns  in  the  sky, 

Borne  by  the  winds  around, 
With  watery  treasures  well  supply 
The  furrows  of  the  ground. 

5  The  thirsty  ridges  drink  their  fill, 

And  ranks  of  corn  appear ; 
Thy  ways  abound  with  blessings  still, 
Thy  goodness  crowns  the  year. 

83  C.  M.  Watts. 

T7ie  Blessings  of  the  Spring. 

1  Good  is  the  Lord,  the  heavenly  King, 
Who  makes  the  earth  his  care ; 

68 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  84 

Visits  the  pastures  every  spring, 
And  bids  the  grass  appear. 

2  The  clouds,  like  rivers  raised  on  high, 

Pour  out,  at  thy  command, 
Their  watery  blessings  from  the  sky, 
To  cheer  the  thirsty  land, 

3  The  softened  ridges  of  the  field 

Permit  the  corn  to  spring ; 
The  valleys  rich  provision  yield, 
And  the  poor  lab'rers  sing. 

4  The  little  hills  on  every  side 

Rejoice  at  falling  showers ; 
The  meadows,  dressed  in  all  their  pride, 
Perfume  the  air  with  flowers. 

5  The  barren  clods  refreshed  with  rain, 

Promise  a  joyful  crop ; 
The  parched  grounds  look  green  again, 
And  raise  the  reaper's  hope. 

6  The  various  months  thy  goodness  crowns ; 

How  bounteous  are  thy  ways ! 
The  bleating  flocks  spread  o'er  the  downs, 
And  shepherds  shout  thy  praise. 


gzj.  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele, 

Spring. 

While  beauty  clothes  the  fertile  vale, 

And  blossoms  on  the  spray, 
And  fragrance  breathes  in  every  gale, 

How  sweet  the  vernal  day  ! 

69 


85  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

2  How  kind  the  influence  of  the  skies ! 

Soft  showers,  with  blessings  fraught, 
Bid  verdure,  beauty,  fragrance  rise, 
And  fix  the  roving  thought. 

3  O  let  my  wondering  heart  confess, 

With  gratitude  and  love, 
The  bounteous  hand  that  deigns  to  bless 
The  garden,  field,  and  grove. 

4  That  bounteous  hand  my  thoughts  adore, 

Beyond  expression  kind, 
Hath  sweeter,  nobler  gifts  in  store, 
To  bless  the  craving  mind. 

5  Inspired  to  praise,  I  then  shall  join 

Glad  Nature's  cheerful  song ; 
And  love  and  gratitude  divine 
Attune  my  joyful  tongue. 

j*||)  L.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Blessings  of  the  Year  the  Gift  of  Providence. 

1  The  morn  and  eve  thy  praise  resound, 
Lord,  as  they  walk  the  ethereal  round ; 
Thy  visits  teach  the  grateful  soil 

To  recompense  the  lab'rer's  toil. 

2  By  unexhausted  springs  supplied, 
The  river  pours  its  copious  tide ; 

A  thousand  streams,  in  sportive  play, 
Through  the  rich  meadows  wind  their  wray. 

3  The  clouds,  in  frequent  showers  distilled, 
Drop  fatness  on  the  fruitful  field, 

70 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  86 

Break  the  rough  glebe,  the  furrows  cheer, 
And  crown  with  good  the  smiling  year. 

4  The  pastures  of  the  extended  w^aste 
Thy  gifts  in  rich  profusion  taste, 
The  hills  around  exulting  stand, 
And  show  the  bounty  of  thy  hand. 

5  Cherish'd  at  length  by  lenient  skies, 
Herbage  and  corn  luxuriant  rise  ; 
The  laughing  vale  assumes  a  tongue, 
And  bursts  triumphant  into  song. 

§d  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Seed-time  and  Harvest. 

1  The  rising  morn,  the  closing  day, 
Repeat  thy  praise  with  grateful  voice ; 
Both  in  their  turns  thy  power  display, 
And  laden  with  thy  gifts  rejoice. 

2  Earth's  wide-extended  varying  scenes, 
All  smiling  round,  thy  bounty  show^ ; 
From  seas  or  clouds,  full  magazines, 
Thy  rich  diffusive  blessings  flow. 

3  Now  earth  receives  the  precious  seed, 
Which  thy  indulgent  hand  prepares ; 
And  nourishes  the  future  bread, 

And  answers  all  the  sower's  cares. 

4  Thy  sweet  refreshing  showers  attend, 
And  through  the  ridges  gently  flow, 
Soft  on  the  springing  corn  descend, 
And  thy  kind  blessing  makes  it  grow. 

71 


87  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

5  Thy  goodness  crowns  the  circling  year, 
Thy  paths  drop  fatness  all  around ; 
Even  barren  wilds  thy  praise  declare, 
And  echoing  hills  return  the  sound. 

6  Here  spreading  nocks  adorn  the  plain, 
There  plenty  every  charm  displays, 
Thy  bounty  clothes  each  lovely  scene, 
And  joyful  nature  shouts  thy  praise. 

giy  L.  M.  Gentleman's  Mag. 

Autumnal  Hymn. 

1  Great  God,  at  whose  all-powerful  call 
At  first  arose  this  beauteous  frame ; 
By  thee  the  seasons  change,  and  all 
The  changing  seasons  speak  thy  name. 

2  Thy  bounty  bids  the  infant  year, 
From  winter  storms  recovered,  rise ; 
When  thousand  grateful  scenes  appear, 
Fresh  opening  to  our  wondering  eyes. 

3  O  how  delightful  'tis  to  see 

The  earth  in  vernal  beauty  drest ; 
While  in  each  herb,  and  flower,  and  tree, 
Thy  blooming  glories  shine  confest ! 

4  Aloft,  full  beaming,  reigns  the  sun, 
And  light  and  genial  heat  conveys ; 
And,  while  he  leads  the  seasons  on, 
From  thee  derives  his  quickening  rays. 

5  Around  us,  in  the  teeming  field, 
Stands  the  rich  grain,  or  purpled  vine ; 

72 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  St 

At  thy  command  they  rise,  to  yield 

The  strengthening  bread  or  cheering  wine. 

6  Indulgent  God,  from  every  part 

Thy  plenteous  blessings  largely  flow ; 
We  see,  we  taste,  let  every  heart 
With  grateful  love  and  duty  glow. 


gg  C.  M.  Browne, 

All  things  made  for  God. 

Great  first  of  Beings,  mighty  Lord 

Of  all  this  mighty  frame, 
Produced  by  thy  creating  wTord, 

The  world  from  nothing  came. 

Soon  as  thou  gavest  the  high  command, 

'Twas  instantly  obeyed ; 
And  for  thy  pleasure  all  things  stand, 

Which  by  thy  power  were  made. 

Thy  glories  shine  throughout  the  whole, 

Each  part  reflects  thy  light; 
For  thee  in  course  the  planets  roll, 

And  day  succeeds  to  night. 

For  thee  the  earth  its  product  yields, 

For  thee  the  waters  flow; 
And  various  plants  adorn  the  fields, 

And  trees  aspiring  growr. 

For  thee  the  sun  dispenses  heat, 
And  beams  of  cheering  light ; 

Far  distant  stars,  in  order  set, 

Break  through  the  shades  of  night, 

G  73 


89  THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED. 

6  Let  us,  too,  Lord,  with  zeal  pursue 
This  wise  and  noble  end ; 
That  all  we  think  and  all  we  do 
Mav  to  thine  honor  tend. 


89  c-  M-  Watts. 

Rejoicing  in  the  Works  of  God. 

1  Rejoice,  ye  righteous,  in  the  Lord ; 

This  work  belongs  to  you ; 
Sing  of  his  name,  his  ways,  his  word, 
How  holy,  just,  and  true  ! 

2  His  mercy  and  his  righteousness 

Let  heaven  and  earth  proclaim ; 
His  works  of  nature  and  of  grace 
Reveal  his  wondrous  name. 

3  His  wisdom  and  almighty  word 

The  heavenly  arches  spread ; 
And  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
Their  shining  hosts  were  made. 

4  He  bade  the  liquid  waters  flow 

To  their  appointed  deep ; 
The  flowing  seas  their  limits  know, 
And  their  own  station  keep. 

5  Ye  tenants  of  the  spacious  earth, 

With  fear  before  him  stand : 
He  spake,  and  nature  took  its  birth, 
And  rests  on  his  command. 

6  Thy  glorious  works  our  thoughts  engage ; 

How  vast  thy  power  divine  ! 

74 


THE  WORKS  OF  GOD  CELEBRATED.  90 

Thy  counsels  stand  through  every  age, 
And  in  full  glory  shine. 


90  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Wisdom  of  God  in  his  Works. 

1  Songs  of  immortal  praise  belong 

To  my  Almighty  God ; 
He  has  my  heart,  and  he  my  tongue. 
To  spread  his  name  abroad. 

2  How  great  the  works  his  hand  hath  wrought, 

How  glorious  in  our  sight!    , 
And  men  in  every  age  have  sought 
His  wonders  with  delight. 

3  How  most  exact  is  nature's  frame  ! 

How  wise  the  Eternal  Mind*! 
His  counsels  never  change  the  scheme 
That  his  first  thoughts  designed. 

4  Nature  and  time,  and  earth  and  skies, 

Thy  heavenly  skill  proclaim ; 

What  shall  we  do  to  make  us  wise, 

But  learn  to  know  thy  name? 

5  To  fear  thy  power,  to  trust  thy  grace, 

Is  our  divinest  skill ; 
And  he's  the  wisest  of  our  race, 
That  best  obeys  thy  will. 


PART   IV. 

PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 


91  C.  M.  Watts. 
The  Divine  Glories  above  our  Reason. 

1  Our  reason  stretches  all  its  wings, 

And  soars  above  the  skies; 
But  still  how  far  beneath  thy  feet 
Our  gro veiling-  reason  lies  ! 

2  Lord  !  here  we  bend  our  humble  souls, 

And  awfully  adore ; 
For  the  weak  pinions  of  the  mind 
Can  urge  their  flight  no  more. 

3  Thy  glories  infinitely  rise 

Above  our  laboring  tongue ; 
In  vain  the  highest  seraph  tries 
To  form  an  equal  song. 

4  In  humble  notes  our  faith  adores 

The  great  eternal  King ; 
While  angels  strain  their  nobler  powers, 
And  sweep  the  immortal  string. 

92  L.  M.  Watts. 

God  Incomprehensible. 

1  Can  creatures  to  perfection  find 
The  eternal,  uncreated  Mind  ? 

76 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  93 

Or  can  the  largest  stretch  of  thought 
Measure  and  search  his  nature  out? 

2  His  sovereign  power  what  mortal  knows  ? 
If  he  command,  who  dare  oppose  ? 

The  beamings  of  his  piercing  sight   . 
Bring  dark  hypocrisy  to  light. 

3  Great  God !  thy  glories  shall  employ 
My  holy  fear,  my  humble  joy  ; 

My  lips  in  songs  of  honor  bring 
Their  tribute  to  the  eternal  King. 

4  O  tell  me  with  a  gentle  voice, 
Thou  art  my  God,  and  I'll  rejoice  : 
Sustained  by  thee,  I'll  still  proclaim 
The  matchless  honors  of  thy  name. 


93  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Incomprehensible  Nature  of  God. 

1  God  is  a  King  of  power  unknown  ; 
Firm  are  the  orders  of  his  throne  : 
If  he  resolve,  who  dare  oppose  ? 

Or  ask  him  why,  or  what,  he  does  ? 

2  He  wounds  the  heart,  and  he  makes  whole; 
He  calms  the  tempest  of  the  soul : 

When  he  shuts  up  in  long  despair, 
Who  can  remove  the  heavy  bar  ? 

3  He  frowns,  and  darkness  veils  the  moon ; 
The  fainting  sun  grows  dim  at  noon ; 
The  pillars  of  heaven's  starry  roof 
Tremble  and  start  at  his  reproof 

g*  77 


94,  95  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

4  He  gave  the  vaulted  heaven  its  form, 
The  crooked  serpent  and  the  worm ; 
He  breaks  the  billows  with  his  breath, 
And  smites  the  sons  of  pride  to  death. 

5  These  are  a  portion  of  his  ways — 
But  who  can  utter  all  his  praise  ? 
Who  can  endure  his  light,  or  stand 
To  hear  the  thunders  of  his  hand  ? 

94.  L.  M.  Watts. 

God  Invisible. 

1  Our  powers,  great  God  !  are  too  confined 
To  reach  thy  infinite  abode : 

O  !  'tis  beyond  a  creature's  mind, 
To  raise  a  single  thought  to  God. 

2  The  Lord  of  glory  builds  his  seat 
Of  gems  superlatively  bright ; 
And  spreads  beneath  his  sacred  feet 
Thick  clouds  and  shades  of  gloomy  night. 

3  Yet,  Lord,  thy  penetrating  eyes 

Look  through  and  cheer  us  from  above : 
Beyond  our  praise  thy  grandeur  flies  : — 
Yet  we  adore,  and  yet  we  love. 

95  L.  M.  Kippis. 

To  the  Unknown  God. 

1   Great  God !  in  vain  man's  narrow  view 
Attempts  to  look  thy  nature  through ; 
Our  lab'ring  powers  with  reverence  own 
Thy  glories  never  can  be  known. 

78 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  96 

2  Not  the  high  seraph's  mighty  thought, 
Who  countless  years  his  God  has  sought, 
Such  wondrous  height  or  depth  can  find, 
Or  fully  trace  thy  boundless  mind. 

3  Yet,  Lord,  thy  kindness  deigns  to  show 
Enough  for  mortal  minds  to  know ; 
While  wisdom,  goodness,  power  divine, 
Through  all  thy  works  and  conduct  shine. 

4  O  may  our  souls  with  rapture  trace 
Thy  works  of  nature  and  of  grace, 
Explore  thy  sacred  name,  and  still 
Press  on  to  know  and  do  thy  will ! 

90  L.  M.  Browne. 

The  One  God. 

1  Eternal  God !  Almighty  Cause 

Of  earth  and  seas  and  worlds  unknown, 
All  things  are  subject  to  thy  laws, 
All  things  depend  on  thee  alone. 

2  Thy  glorious  being  singly  stands, 
Of  all  within  itself  possest ; 

By  none  controlled  in  thy  commands, 
And  in  thyself  completely  blest. 

3  To  thee,  the  One  Supreme,  we  bow ; 
Let  heaven  and  earth  due  homage  pay : 
All  other  gods  we  disavow, 

Reject  their  claims,  renounce  their  sway. 

4  Spread  thy  great  name  through  every  land, 
All  idol  deities  dethrone, 

79 


97  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

Subdue  the  world  to  thy  command, 
And  reign  unrivalled,  God  alone  ! 

Qf  C.  M.  Liverpool  Col. 

T7ie  Power  of  God. 

1  'Twas  God  who  hurled  the  rolling  spheres, 

And  stretched  the  boundless  skies ; 
Who  formed  the  plan  of  endless  years. 
And  bade  the  ages  rise. 

2  Eternal  is  his  power  and  might, 

Immense  and  unconfined : 
He  pierces  through  the  realms  of  light, 
And  rides  upon  the  wind. 

3  He  darts  along  the  burning  skies ; 

Loud  thunders  round  him  roar : 
All  heaven  attends  him  as  he  flies, 
All  hell  proclaims  his  power. 

4  He  speaks,  and  nature's  wheels  stand  still ; 

They  cease  their  wonted  round, 
The  mountains  melt,  the  trembling  hills 
Forsake  their  ancient  bound. 

5  He  scatters  nations  with  his  breath, 

The  scattered  nations  fly, 
Blue  pestilence  and  wasting  death, 
Confess  the  Godhead  nigh. 

6  Ye  worlds,  with  every  living  thing, 

Fulfil  his  high  command  : 
Mortals,  pay  homage  to  your  King, 
And  own  his  ruling  hand. 

80 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  98,  99 

9g  P.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Divine  Majesty  and  Power. 

1  Sing,  ye  sons  of  might,  O  sing 
Praise  to  heaven's  eternal  King  : 
Power  and  strength  to  him  assign, 
Bow  before  his  hallowed  shrine. 

2  Hark,  his  voice  in  thunder  breaks ; 
Hushed  to  silence  while  he  speaks, 
Ocean's  waves  from  pole  to  pole 
Hear  the  awful  accents  roll. 

3  Now  the  bursting  clouds  give  way, 
And  the  vivid  lightnings  play ; 
And  the  wilds  by  man  untrod 

Hear  dismayed  the  approaching  God. 

4  He  the  swelling  surge  commands ; 
Fixed  his  throne  for  ever  stands ; 
He  his  people  shall  increase, 
And  with  safety  crown,  and  peace. 

99  -      L.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Give  to  the  Lord,  ye  sons  of  fame, 
Give  to  the  Lord  renown  and  power ; 
Ascribe  due  honors  to  his  name, 
And  his  eternal  might  adore. 

2  The  Lord  proclaims  his  power  aloud 
O'er  the  vast  ocean  and  the  land; 
His  voice  divides  the  watery  cloud, 
And  lightnings  blaze  at  his  command. 

81 


100  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

3  He  speaks,  and  howling  tempests  rise 
And  lay  the  forest  bare  around ; 
The  fiercest  beasts  with  piteous  cries. 
Confess  the  terror  of  the  sound. 

4  His  thunders  rend  the  vaulted  skies, 
And  palaces  and  temples  shake ; 
The  mountains  tremble  at  the  noise, 
The  valleys  roar,  the  deserts  quake. 

5  The  Lord  sits  Sovereign  o'er  the  flood, 
The  Thunderer  reigns  for  ever  King, 
But  makes  his  church  his  blest  abode, 
Where  we  his  awful  glories  sing. 

6  We  see  no  terrors  in  his  name, 
But  in  our  God  a  Father  find ; 

The  voice  that  shakes  all  nature's  frame, 
Speaks  comfort  to  the  pious  mind. 

100  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Glory  of  God. 

1  God  is  a  name  my  soul  adores, 
The  Almighty,  the  Eternal  One ; 
Nature  and  grace  with  all  their  powers 
Confess  the  Infinite  unknown. 

2  Thy  voice  produced  the  seas  and  spheres. 
Bade  planets  roll  and  suns  to  shine ; 
But  nothing  like  thyself  appears, 
Through  all  these  spacious  works  of  thine. 

3  Still  restless  nature  dies  and  grows ; 
From  change  to  change  the  creatures  run; 

82 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  101 

Thy  being  no  succession  knows, 
And  all  thy  vast  designs  are  one. 

4  Thrones  and  dominions  round  thee  fall, 
And  worship  in  submissive  forms ; 
Thy  presence  shakes  this  lower  ball, 
This  humble  dwelling-place  of  worms. 

101  L.  M.  Pope's  Col. 

The  Majesty  and  Glory  of  God. 

1  Ye  sons  of  men,  in  sacred  lays 
Attempt  the  great  Creator's  praise  : 
But  who  an  equal  song  can  frame  ? 
What  verse  can  reach  the  lofty  theme  ? 

2  He  sits  enthroned  amidst  the  spheres, 
And  glory  like  a  garment  wears, 

While  boundless  wisdom,  power  and  grace, 
Command  our  awe,  transcend  our  praise. 

3  Before  his  throne  a  shining  band 
Of  cherubs  and  of  seraphs  stand ; 
Ethereal  spirits,  who  in  flight 
Outstrip  the  rapid  speed  of  light. 

4  To  God  all  nature  owes  its  birth, 

He  formed  this  ponderous  globe  of  earth ; 
He  raised  the  glorious  arch  on  high, 
And  measured  out  the  azure  sky. 

5  In  all  our  Maker's  grand  designs 
Omnipotence  with  wisdom  shines ; 

His  works  through  all  this  wondrous  frame 
Bear  the  great  impress  of  his  name. 

83 


102,  103  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

6  Raised  on  devotion's  lofty  wing, 
Let  us  his  high  perfections  sing : 
O  let  his  praise  employ  our  tongue, 
Whilst  listening  worlds  applaud  the  song ! 

X02  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Majesty  and  Condescension  of  God. 

1  Ye  servants  of  the  Almighty  King, 
In  every  age  his  praises  sing ; 
Where'er  the  sun  shall  rise  or  set, 
The  nations  shall  his  praise  repeat. 

2  Above  the  earth,  beyond  the  sky, 
Stands  his  high  throne  of  majesty ; 
Nor  time  nor  place  his  power  restrain, 
Nor  bound  his  universal  reign. 

3  Which  of  the  sons  of  Adam  dare, 
Or  angels  with  their  God  compare  ? 
His  glories  how  divinely  bright, 
Who  dwells  in  uncreated  light ! 

i  Behold  his  love,  he  stoops  to  view 
What  saints  above  and  angels  do ; 
And  condescends  yet  more,  to  know 
The  mean  affairs  of  men  below. 

1(J3  C.  M.  Edinburgh  Col. 

The  Condescension  of  God. 

L  Amidst  the  heavenly  powers  sublime, 
God's  throne  is  fixed  on  high, 
And  through  eternity  he  hears 
The  praises  of  the  sky. 

84 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  104 

2  Yet,  looking  down,  he  visits  oft 

The  humble,  hallowed  cell, 
And  with  the  penitent  who  mourns, 
'Tis  his  delight  to  dwell ;  . 

3  The  downcast  spirit  to  revive, 

The  sorrowful  to  cheer, 
And  from  the  bed  of  dust,  the  man 
Of  contrite  heart  to  rear. 

4  With  him  dwells  no  relentless  wrath 

Against  the  human  race ; 
The  souls  which  he  has  formed  shall  find 
A  refuge  in  his  grace. 

104.  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Condescension  of  God  to  Human  Affairs. 

1  The  Almighty  stoops  to  view  the  skies, 
And  bows  to  see  what  angels  do ; 

Yet  down  to  earth  directs  his  eyes, 
And  bends  his  footsteps  downwards  too. 

2  He  over-rules  all  human  things, 
And  manages  our  mean  affairs : 
On  humble  souls  the  King  of  kings 
Bestows  his  counsels  and  his  cares. 

3  In  vain  might  earthly  monarchs  try 
Such  condescending  schemes  to  plan ; 
For  man  was  never  raised  so  high 
Above  his  meanest  fellow-man. 

4  O  could  our  thankful  hearts  devise 
A  tribute  equal  to  thy  grace, 

H  85 


105,   106  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

'To  heaven  our  grateful  songs  should  rise, 
And  listening  angels  learn  thy  praise. 

1 05  k.  M.  Doddridge. 
The  Majesty  of  God. 

1  Ye  weak  inhabitants  of  clay, 
Ye  trifling  insects  of  a  day, 

Low  in  your  native  dust  bow  down 
Before  the  Eternal's  awful  throne. 

2  Loud  let  ten  thousand  trumpets  sound, 
And  call  remotest  nations  round, 
Assembled  on  the  crowded  plains, 
Princes  and  people,  kings  and  swains. 

3  Joined  with  the  living,  let  the  dead, 
Rising,  the  face  of  earth  o'erspread ; 
And  while  his  praise  unites  their  tongues, 
Let  angels  echo  back  the  songs. 

4  The  drop  that  from  the  bucket  falls, 
The  dust  that  hangs  upon  the  scales, 
Is  more  to  sky  and  earth  and  sea, 
Than  all  this  pomp,  great  God,  to  thee. 

106  C'  M<  Watts. 
The  Eternity  of  God. 

1  Rise,  rise,  my  soul,  and  leave  the  ground, 

Stretch  all  thy  thoughts  abroad, 
And  rouse  up  every  tuneful  sound, 
To  praise  the  Eternal  God. 

2  Long  e'er  the  lofty  skies  were  spread, 

Jehovah  filled  his  throne, 

86 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  107 

Or  man  was  formed,  or  angels  made. 
The  self-existent  One. 

3  Thy  years,  O  Lord,  can  ne'er  decrease. 

But  still  maintain  their  prime, 
Eternity's  thy  dwelling  place, 
And  Ever  is  thy  time. 

4  While  like  a  tide  our  minutes  flow, 

The  present  and  the  past, 
God  fills  his  own  immortal  Now, 
And  sees  our  ages  waste. 

20^  L.  M.  Salisbury  Col, 

God  Eternal  and  Unchangeable. 

1  All-powerful,  self-existent  God, 
Who  all  creation  dost  sustain, 
Thou  wast,  and  art,  and  art  to  come, 
And  everlasting  is  thy  reign, 

2  Fixed  and  eternal  as  thy  days. 
Each  glorious  attribute  divine 
Through  ages  infinite  shall  still 
With  undiminished  lustre  shine. 

3  Fountain  of  being,  Source  of  good, 
Immutable  thou  dost  remain, 
Nor  can  the  shadow  of  a  change 
Obscure  the  glories  of  thy  reign. . 

4  Nature  her  order  shall  reverse, 
Revolving  seasons  cease  their  round ; 
Nor  spring  appear  with  blooming  pride, 
Nor  autumn  be  with  plenty  crowned ; 


108  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

5  Yon  shining  orbs  forget  their  course, 
The  sun  his  destined  path  forsake, 
And  burning  desolation  mark 
Amid  the  worlds  his  devious  track ; 

6  Earth  may  with  all  her  powers  dissolve, 
If  such  the  great  Creator's  will ; 

But  thou  for  ever  art  the  same, 
I  Am  is  thy  memorial  still. 

108  c- M-  Mrs-  Rowe- 

The  Eternity  and  Immutability  of  God. 

1  Thou  didst,  O  mighty  God,  exist, 

Ere  time  began  his  race ; 
Before  the  ample  elements 
Filled  up  the  voids  of  space. 

2  Before  the  ponderous  earthly  globe 

In  fluid  air  was  stayed ; 
Before  the  ocean's  mighty  springs 
Their  liquid  stores  displayed  : 

3  Ere  through  the  gloom  of  ancient  night 

The  streaks  of  light  appeared ; 
Before  the  high  celestial  arch 
Or  starry  poles  were  reared : 

4  Before  the  bright,  harmonious  spheres 

Their  glorious  rounds  begun ; 
Before  the  shining  roads  of  heaven 
Were  measured  by  the  sun : 

5  Ere  men  adored,  or  angels  knew, 

Or  praised  thy  wondrous  name ; 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  109 

Thy  bliss,  eternal  Spring  of  life, 
And  glory  was  the  same. 

6  And  when  the  pillars  of  the  world  * 

With  sudden  ruin  break, 
And  all  this  vast  and  goodly  frame 
Sinks  in  the  mighty  wreck : 

7  When  from  her  orb  the  moon  shall  start. 

The  astonished  sun  roll  back, 
While  all  the  trembling  starry  lamps 
Their  ancient  course  forsake  : 

8  For  ever  permanent  and  fixed , 

From  interruption  free. 
Unchanged  in  everlasting  years, 
Shall  thy  existence  be. 


J{)|$  P.M.  Mrs.  Barbaulb, 

God  the  Eternal  Sovereign, 

1  This  earthly  globe,  the  creature  of  a  day. 
Though  built  by  God's  right  hand,  must  pass 

away; 
And    long    oblivion    creep    o'er    mortal 

things, 
The  fate  of  empires,  and  the  pride  of 
kings; 
Eternal  night  shall  veil  their  proudest  story, 
And  drop  the  curtain  o'er  all  human  glory. 

2  The    sun   himself,   with   gathering  clouds 

opprest, 
Shall  in  his  silent  dark  pavilion  rest ; 

h*  89 


110  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

His  golden  urn  shall  break,  and  useless 

lie, 
Amidst  the  common  ruins  of  the  sky ; 
The  stars  rush  headlong  in  the  wild  com- 
motion, 
And  bathe  their  glittering  foreheads  in  the 
ocean. 

3  But  fixed,  O  God,  for  ever  stands  thy  throne ; 
Jehovah  reigns,  a  universe  alone  : 

The   eternal  "fire   that  feeds   each  vital 

flame, 
Collected,  or  diffused,  is  still  the  same  : 
He  dwells  within  his  own  unfathomed  es- 
sence, 
And  fills  all  space  with  his  unbounded  pre- 
sence. 

4  But  O  our  highest  notes  the  theme  debase, 
And  silence  is  our  least  injurious  praise : 

Cease,  cease  your  songs,  the  daring  flight 

control ; 
Revere  him  in  the  stillness  of  the  soul : 
With  silent  duty  meekly  bend  before  him, 
And  deep  within  your  inmost  hearts  adore 
him. 


\IQ  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  All-seeing  God. 

1  Lord,    thou  hast   searched  and  seen    me 
through ; 
Thine  eye  commands  with  piercing  view 

90 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  Ill 

My  rising  and  my  resting  hours, 

My  heart  and  flesh  with  all  their  powers. 

2  Within  thy  circling  power  I  stand, 
On  every  side  I  find  thy  hand, 
Awake,  asleep,  at  home,  abroad, 

I  am  surrounded  still  with  God. 

3  My  thoughts,  before  they  are  my  own, 
Are  to  my  God  distinctly  known : 

He  knows  the  words  I  mean  to  speak, 
Ere  from  my  opening  lips  they  break. 

4  Amazing  knowledge,  vast  and  great ! 
What  large  extent !  what  lofty  height ! 
My  soul,  with  all  the  powers  I  boast, 
Is  in  the  boundless  prospect  lost. 

5  O  may  these  thoughts  possess  my  breast, 
Where'er  I  rove,  where'er  I  rest, 

Nor  let  my  weaker  passions  dare 
Consent  to  sin — for  God  is  there ! 


HI  C.  M.  Arbuckle. 

Universal  Presence  of  God. 

My  heart  and  all  my  ways,  O  God, 
By  thee  are  searched  and  seen ; 

My  outward  acts  thine  eye  observes. 
My  secret  thoughts  within. 

Attendant  on  my  steps,  all  day 

Thy  providence  I  see ; 
And  in  the  solitude  of  night 

I'm  present  still  with  thee. 

91 


112  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

3  No  spot  the  boundless  realms  of  space, 

Whence  thou  art  absent,  know ; 
In  heaven  thou  reignest  a  glorious  King, 
An  awful  Judge  below. 

4  Lord,  if  within  my  thoughtless  heart 

Thou  aught  should'st  disapprove, 
The  secret  evil  bring  to  light, 
And  by  thy  grace  remove. 

5  If  e'er  my  ways  have  been  perverse, 

Or  foolish  in  thy  view, 
Recall  my  steps  to  thy  commands, 
And  form  my  life  anew. 

112  L-  ML  Blacklock. 

God's  Omniscience  and  Omnipresence. 

1  Father  of  all,  Omniscient  Mind, 
Thy  wisdom  who  can  comprehend  ? 
Its  highest  point  what  eye  can  find, 
Or  to  its  lowest  depths  descend  ? 

2  What  cavern  deep,  what  hill  sublime, 
Beyond  thy  reach,  shall  I  pursue  ? 
What  dark  recess,  what  distant  clime, 
Shall  hide  me  from  thy  boundless  view  ? 

3  If  up  to  heaven's  ethereal  height, 
Thy  prospect  to  elude,  I  rise ; 

In  splendor  there,  supremely  bright, 
Thy  presence  shall  my  sight  surprise. 

4  Thee,  mighty  God,  my  wondering  soul, 
Thee,  all  her  conscious  powers  adore, 

92 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  113 

Whose  being  circumscribes  the  whole, 
Whose  eyes  the  "universe  explore. 

5  Thine  essence  fills  this  breathing  frame, 
It  glows  in  every  vital  part, 

Lights  up  my  soul  with  livelier  flame, 
And  feeds  with  life  my  beating  heart. 

6  To  thee,  from  whom  my  being  came, 
Whose  smile  is  all  the  heaven  I  know, 
Inspired  with  this  exalted  theme, 

To  thee  my  grateful  strains  shall  flow. 

113  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Ways  of  the  Bighteous  known  to  God. 

1  To  thee,  my  God,  my  days  are  known, 

My  soul  enjoys  the,  thought, 
My  actions  all  before  thee  lie, 
Nor  are  my  wants  forgot. 

2  Each  secret  wish  devotion  breathes 

Is  vocal  to  thine  ear, 
And  all  my  walks  of  daily  life 
Before  thine  eye  appear. 

3  The  vacant  hour,  the  active  scene, 

Thy  mercy  shall  approve, 
And  every  pang  of  sympathy, 
And  every  care  of  love. 

4  Each  golden  hour  of  beaming  light 

Is  gilded  by  thy  rays, 
And  dark  affliction's  midnight  gloom 
A  present  God  surveys. 

93 


114,   115  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

5  Full  in  thy  view  through  life  I  pass. 
And  in  thy  view  I  die ; 
Lord,  when  all  mortal  bonds  shall  break, 
May  I  still  find  thee  nigh. 

X14  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Holiness  of  God. 

1       The  God  Jehovah  reigns, 
Let  all  the  nations  fear ; 
Let  sinners  tremble  at  his  throne, 
Let  all  be  humble  there. 

•2       Eternal  is  his  throne, 
His  honors  are  divine, 
His  church  shall  make  his  wonders  known, 
For  there  his  glories  shine. 

3       How  holy  is  his  name  ! 
How  awful  is  his  praise ! 
Justice  and  truth  and  judgment  join 
In  all  his  works  of  grace. 

J15  C.  M.  Browne. 

Universal  Goodness  of  God. 

1  Lord,  thou  art  good;  all  nature  shows 

Its  mighty  Author  kind ; 
Thy  bounty  through  creation  flows, 
Full,  free  and  unconfined. 

2  The  whole  and  every  part  proclaims 

Thy  infinite  good  will, 
It  shines  in  stars  and  flows  in  streams, 
And  bursts  from  every  hill. 

94 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  116 

3  We  view  it  o'er  the  spreading  main, 

And  heavens  which  spread  more  wide, 
It  drops  in  gentle  showers  of  rain, 
And  rolls  in  every  tide. 

4  Long  hath  it  been  diffused  abroad, 

Through  ages  past  and  gone, 
Nor  ever  can  exhausted  be, 
But  still  keeps  flowing  on. 

5  Through  the  whole  earth  it  pours  supplies, 

Spreads  joy  through  every  part : 
0  may  such  love  attract  my  eyes, 
And  captivate  my  heart : 

6  My  highest  admiration  raise, 

My  best  affections  move  ; 
Employ  my  tongue  in  songs  of  praise, 
And  fill  my  heart  with  love. 


l|g  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Divine  Goodness. 

1  Triumphant,  Lord,  thy  goodness  reigns 
Through  all  the  wide  celestial  plains, 
And  its  full  streams  redundant  flow 
Down  to  the  abodes  of  men  below. 

2  Through  nature's  works  thy  glories  shine ; 
The  cares  of  providence  are  thine ; 

And  thou  hast  raised  within  our  frame 
A  fairer  temple  to  thy  name. 

95 


117  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

3  O  give  to  every  human  heart 

To  taste  and  feel  how  good  thou  art, 
With  grateful  love  and  reverent  fear 
To  know  how  hlest  thy  children  are. 

4  Let  nature  burst  into  a  song  : 

Ye  echoing  hills,  the  notes  prolong ! 
Earth,  seas,  and  stars,  your  anthems  raise, 
All  vocal  with  your  Maker's  praise ! 

5  Join,  O  my  soul,  the  general  song, 
To  thee  its  sweetest  notes  belong ; 
Blest  above  all  by  love  divine, 
To  praise  is  eminently  thine. 

JIJ*  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

God  Adored  for  his  Goodness. 

1  Ye  sons  of  men,  with  joy  record 
The  various  wonders  of  the  Lord, 
And  let  his  power  and  goodness  sound 
Through  all  your  tribes  the  earth  around. 

2  Let  the  high  heavens  your  songs  invite, 
Those  spacious  fields  of  brilliant  light, 
Where  sun  and  moon  and  planets  roll, 
And  stars  that  glow  from  pole  to  pole. 

3  Sing  earth,  in  verdant  robes  arrayed, 

Its  herbs  and  flowers,  its  fruit  and  shade, 
Peopled  with  life  its  regions  wide, 
Life,  from  its  plenteous  stores  supplied. 

4  View  the  broad  sea's  majestic  plain, 
And  sing  its  Maker's  boundless  reign, 

96 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  118 

That  band  remotest  nations  joins, 
And  on  each  wave  his  goodness  shines. 

5  But  O  that  brighter  world  above, 
Where  lives  and  reigns  eternal  love ; 
Thither,  my  soul,  with  rapture  soar,. 
There  in  the  land  of  praise  adore. 

Hg  P.  M.  Fawcett. 

Delighting  in  Divine  Goodness. 

1  Parent  of  good,  thy  works  of  might 
I  trace  with  wonder  and  delight ; 

Thy  name  is  all  divine ; 
There's  nought  in  earth  or  sea  or  air, 
Or  heaven  itself,  that's  good  or  fair, 

But  is  entirely  thine. 

2  Immensely  high  thy  glories  rise, 

They  strike  my  soul  with  sweet  surprise, 

And  sacred  pleasure  yield ; 
An  ocean  wide  without  a  bound, 
Where  every  noble  wish  is  drowned, 

And  every  want  is  filled. 

3  To  thee  my  warm  affections  move, 
In  sweet  astonishment  and  love, 

While  at  thy  feet  I  fall; 
I  pant  for  nought  beneath  the  skies, 
To  thee  my  ardent  wishes  rise, 
*0  my  eternal  All ! 

4  What  shall  I  do  to  spread  thy  praise, 
My  God,  through  my  remaining  days. 

Or  how  thy  name  adore  ? 

I  97  * 


119  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

To  thee  I  consecrate  my  breath, 
Let  me  be  thine  in  life  and  death, 
And  thine  for  evermore. 


JQ  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Peculiar  Goodness  of  God  to  his  People. 

1  Our  souls  with  pleasing  wonder  view 

The  bounties  of  thy  grace ; 
How  much  bestowed,  how  much  reserved 
For  those  that  seek  thy  face. 

2  Thy  liberal  hand  with  worldly  bliss 

Oft  makes  their  cup  run  o'er ; 
And  in  the  covenant  of  thy  love 
They  find  diviner  store. 

3  Here  mercy  hides  their  numerous  sins, 

Here  grace  their  souls  renews, 
Here  hope  and  love  and  joy  and  peace 
Their  heavenly  beams  diffuse. 

4  But  0  what  treasures  yet  unknown 

Are  lodged  in  worlds  to  come ! 
If  these  the  enjoyments  of  the  way, 
How  happy  is  their  home  ! 

5  And  what  shall  mortal  worms  reply  ? 

Or  how  such  goodness  own? 
But  'tis  our  joy  that,  Lord,  to  thee 
Thy  servants'  hearts  are  known. 

.6  Since  time's  too  short,  all-gracious  God, 
To  utter  half  thy  praise, 

98 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  120 

Loud  to  the  honor  of  thy  name 
Eternal  hymns  we'll  raise. 

120  C*  M*  Watts, 

God  Hearing  Prayer. 

1  Let  every  tongue  thy  goodness  speak, 

Thou  sovereign  Lord  of  all, 
Thy  strengthening  hands  uphold  the  weak, 
And  raise  the  poor  that  fall. 

2  When  sorrows  bow  the  spirit  down, 

Or  virtue  lies  distrest 
Beneath  some  proud  oppressor's  frown, 
Thou  givest  the  mourners  rest. 

3  The  Lord  supports  our  tottering  days, 

And  guides  our  giddy  youth  : 
Holy  and  just  are  all  his  ways, 
And  all  his  words  are  truth. 

4  He  knows  the  pain  his  servants  feel, 

He  hears  his  children  cry, 
And  their  best  wishes  to  fulfil, 
His  grace  is  ever  nigh. 

5  His  mercy  never  will  remove 

From  men  of  heart  sincere, 
He  saves  the  souls  whose  humble  love 
Is  joined  with  holy  fear. 

6  My  lips  shall  dwell  upon  his  praise, 

And  sound  his  name  abroad  : 
Let  all  the  sons  of  Adam  raise 
The  honors  of  their  God. 

99 


121  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 


J2J  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

Proclamation  of  God's  Name  to  Moses. 

1  Attend,  my  soul,  the  voice  divine, 
And  mark  what  beaming  glories  shine 

Around  thy  condescending  God  ; 
To  us,  to  us,  he  still  proclaims 
His  awful,  his  endearing  names ; 

Attend,  and  sound  them  all  abroad. 

2  "  Jehovah  I,  the  sovereign  Lord, 
The  mighty  God,  by  heaven  adored, 

Down  to  the  earth  my  footsteps  bend  : 
My  heart  the  tenderest  pity  knows, 
Goodness,  full-streaming,  wide  o'erflows, 

And  grace  and  truth  shall  never  end. 

3  "  My  patience  long  can  crimes  endure ; 
My  pardoning  love  is  ever  sure, 

When  penitential  sorrow  mourns  : 
To  millions  through  unnumbered  years, 
New  hope  and  new  delight  it  bears ; 

Yet  wrath  against  the  sinner  burns." 

4  Make  haste,  my  soul,  the  vision  meet 
All  prostrate  at  thy  Sovereign's  feet, 

And  drink  the  tuneful  accents  in ; 
Speak  on,  my  Lord,  repeat  the  voice, 
Diffuse  these  heart-expanding  joys, 

Till   heaven   complete   the   rapturous 
scene. 

100 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  122,  123 

122  C-  M-  Watts. 

The  Goodness  and  Mercy  of  God. 

1  Sweet  is  the  memory  of  thy  grace, 

O  God.  my  heavenly  King, 
Let  age  to  age  thy  righteousness 
In  sounds  of  glory  sing. 

2  God  reigns  on  high,  but. not  confines 

His  goodness  to  the  skies, 
Through  the  whole  earth  his  bounty  shines, 
And  every  want  supplies. 

3  With  longing  eyes  thy  creatures  wait 

On  thee  for  daily  food ; 
Thy  liberal  hand  provides  their  meat, 
And  fills  their  mouths  with  good. 

4  How  kind  are  thy  compassions,  Lord  ! 

How  slow  thine  anger  moves ! 
But  soon  he  sends  his  pardoning  word 
To  cheer  the  souls  he  loves. 

5  Creatures,  with  all  their  endless  race, 

Thy  power  and  praise  proclaim ; 
But  they  who  taste  thy  richer  grace, 
Delight  to  bless  thy  name, 

123  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  praises  of  my  God,  my  King, 
While  I  have  life  or  breath  to  sing, 
Shall  fill  my  heart  and  tune  my  tongue, 
Till  heaven  improve  the  blissful  song. 

i*  101 


124  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

2  No  more  in  princes  vainly  trust, 
Frail  sons  of  earth;  man  is  but  dust, 
With  all  his  pride,  with  all  his  power, 
The  helpless  creature  of  an  hour. 

3  Happy  the  man  whose  hopes  divine 
On  Israel's  guardian  God  recline ; 
Who  can. with  sacred  transport  say, 
This  God  is  mine,  my  help,  my  stay. 

4  His  justice  favors  them  who  mourn 
Beneath  the  proud  oppressor's  scorn, 
The  hungry  poor  his  hand  sustains, 

And  breaks  the  wretched  captive's  chains. 

5  To  sightless  eyes,  long  closed  in  night, 
His  touch  restores  the  joys  of  light, 
Poor  mourners  raised  confess  his  care, 
He  loves  the  humble  and  sincere. 

6  If  wandering  strangers  friendless  roam, 
Divine  protection  is  their  home  : 

The  Lord  relieves  the  widow's  cares, 
And  dries  the  weeping  orphan's  tears. 

\Q4L  k«  M.  Doddridge. 

God  the  Intellectual  Light. 

1  Praise  to  the  Lord  of  boundless  might, 
With  uncreated  glories  bright, 

His  presence  gilds  the  worlds  above, 
The  unchanging  Source  of  light  and  love. 

2  Our  rising  earth  his  eye  beheld, 
When,  in  substantial  darkness  veiled, 

102 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  125 

The  shapeless  chaos,  nature's  womb, 
Lay  buried  in  eternal  gloom. 

3  Let  there  he  light !  Jehovah  said, 
And  light  o'er  all  its  face  was  spread, 
Nature,  arrayed  in  charms  unknown, 
Gay  with  its  new-born  lustre,  shone. 

4  He  sees  the  mind,  when  lost  it  lies 
In  shades  of  ignorance  and  vice, 
And  darts  from  heaven  a  vivid  ray, 
And  changes  midnight  into  day. 

5  Shine,  mighty  God,  with  vigor  shine 
On  this  benighted  heart  of  mine ; 
There  be  thy  brighter  beams  revealed 
As  in  the  Saviour's  face  beheld. 

6  Thine  image  on  my  soul  impressed, 
In  radiant  lines  shall  stand  confessed ; 
While  all  my  faculties  unite 

To  praise  the  Lord,  who  gives  me  light. 

125  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Divine  Mercy  and  Truth. 

1  Now  to  the  Lord,  a  joyful  song, 
Awake,  my  soul !  awake,  my  tongue  ! 
Hosanna.to  the  Eternal  Name, 

And  all  his  boundless  love  proclaim. 

2  The  spacious  earth,  and  spreading  flood, 
Proclaim  the  wise  and  powerful  God ; 
And  his  rich  glories  from  afar 
Sparkle  in  every  rolling  star. 

103 


126  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 

3  For  ever  shall  my  song  record 
The  truth  and  mercy  of  the  Lord ; 
Mercy  and  truth  for  ever  stand, 
Like  heaven,  established  by  his  hand. 

4  Great  God,  on  us  thy  blessings  shower, 
Let  man's  whole  race  revere  thy  power, 
And  thankful  to  their  wondering  eyes, 
Behold  thy  wished  salvation  rise. 

120  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Faithfulness  of  God. 

1  My  never-ceasing  songs  shall  show 

The  mercies  of  the  Lord, 
And  make  succeeding  ages  know 
How  faithful  is  his  word. 

2  The  sacred  truths  his  lips  pronounce 

Shall  firm  as  heaven  endure, 
And  if  he  speak  a  promise  once, 
The  eternal  grace  is  sure. 

3  How  long  the  race  of  David  held 

The  promised  Jewish  throne  ! 
But  there's  a  nobler  covenant  sealed 
By  David's  greater  Son. 

4  His  seed  for  ever  shall  possess 

A  throne  above  the  skies  : 
The  meanest  subject  of  his  grace 
Shall  to  that  glory  rise. 

5  Lord  God  of  hosts  !  thy  wondrous  ways 

Are  sung  by  saints  above, 

104 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  127 

And  men  on  earth  their  honors  raise 
To  thy  unchanging  love. 


12^  L.  M.  Watts, 

God  ever  to  be  Praised. 

1  My  God,  my  King,  thy  various  praise 
Shall  fill  the  remnant  of  my  days ; 
Thy  grace  employ  my  humble  tongue, 
Till  death  and  glory  raise  the  song. 

2  The  wings  of  every  hour  shall  bear 
Some  thankful  tribute  to  thine  ear, 
And  every  setting  sun  shall  see 
New  works  of  duty  done  for  thee. 

3  Thy  truth  and  justice  I'll  proclaim, 
Thy  bounty  flows  an  endless  stream, 
Thy  mercy  swift,  thine  anger  slow, 
But  dreadful  to  the  stubborn  foe. 

4  Thy  works  with  boundless  glory  shine, 
And  speak  thy  majesty  divine ; 

Let  land  to  land  aloud  proclaim 
The  matchless  honors  of  thy  name. 

5  Let  distant  times  and  nations  raise 
The  long  succession  of  thy  praise, 
And  unborn  ages  make  my  song 
The  joy  and  labor  of  their  tongue. 

6  But  who  can  speak  thy  wondrous  deeds  ? 
Thy  greatness  all  our  thoughts  exceeds ; 
Vast  and  unsearchable  thy  ways ! 

Vast  and  immortal  be  thy  praise ! 

105 


128  PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD. 


128  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Greatness  and  Goodness  of  God. 

1  Long  as  I  live  I'll  bless  thy  name, 

God  of  eternal  love  ! 
My  work  and  joy  shall  be  the  same 
In  the  bright  world  above. 

2  Great  is  the  Lord,  his  power  unknown, 

And  let  his  praise  be  great ; 
I'll  sing  the  honors  of  thy  throne, 
Thy  works  of  grace  repeat. 

3  Thy  grace  shall  dwell  upon  my  tongue, 

And  while  my  lips  rejoice, 
The  men  that  hear  my  sacred  song 
Shall  join  their  cheerful  voice. 

4  Fathers  to  sons  shall  teach  thy  name, 

And  children  learn  thy  ways, 
Ages  to  come  thy  truth  proclaim, 
And  nations  sound  thy  praise. 

5  Thy  glorious  deeds  of  ancient  date 

Shall  through  the  world  be  known, 
Thine  arm  of  power,  thy  heavenly  state, 
With  public  splendor  shown. 

6  The  world  is  managed  by  thy  hands, 

Thy  saints  are  ruled  by  love, 
And  thine  eternal  kingdom  stands, 
Though  rocks  and  hills  remove. 

106 


PERFECTIONS  OF  GOD.  129 

1*20  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Perfections  and  Providence  of  God. 

1  High  in  the  heavens,  eternal  God, 
Thy  goodness  in  full  glory  shines ; 

Thy  truth  shall  break  through  every  cloud 
That  veils  and  darkens  thy  designs. 

2  For  ever  firm  thy  justice  stands, 

As  mountains  their  foundations  keep ; 
Wise  are  the  wonders  of  thv  hands, 
Thy  judgments  are  a  mighty  deep. 

3  Thy  providence  is  kind  and  large, 
Both  man  and  beast  thy  bounty  share, 
The  whole  creation  is  thy  charge, 
The  good  are  thy  peculiar  care. 

4  My  God,  how  excellent  thy  grace, 
Whence  all  our  hope  and  comfort  springs ! 
The  sons  of  Adam  in  distress 

Fly  to  the  shadow  of  thy  wings. 

5  From  the  provisions  of  thy  house, 
We  shall  be  fed  with  sweet  repast ; 
There  mercy  like  a  river  flows, 
And  brings  salvation  to  our  taste. 

6  Life,  like  a  fountain  rich  and  free, 
Springs  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
And  in  his  light  our  souls  shall  see 
The  glories  promised  in  his  word. 

107 


PART   V. 

GOVERNMENT  AND  PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD. 


130  C*  M*  Jervis. 

The  Being i  Omnipresence  and  Providence  of  God. 

1  Great  God,  how  vast  is  thine  abode ! 

Mysterious  are  thy  ways ! 
Unseen  thy  footsteps  in  the  air, 
And  trackless  in  the  seas. 

2  Yet  the  whole  peopled  world  bespeaks 

Thy  being  and  thy  power, 
'Midst  the  resplendent  blaze  of  da}^ 
And  awful  midnight  hour. 

3  Nor  all  the  peopled  world  alone, 

Rich  fields  and  verdant  plains, 
But  lonely  wilds  by  man  untrod, 
Where  death-like  silence  reigns, 

4  Tempests  and  storms  that  sweep  the  sky, 

And  cataracts  sublime, 
Volcanoes,  earthquakes,  hurricanes, 
That  waste  the  torrid  clime, 

5  Vast  caverns  deep,  and  cloud-topt  hills, 

Huge  mountains  rude  and  bare, 
Terrific  rocks  and  swelling  waves, 
Thy  grandeur  all  declare. 

108 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  131,  132 

6  Through  all  creation's  widest  range 
The  hand  of  heaven  is  near ; 
Where'er  I  wander  in  the  world, 
Lo,  God  is  present  there. 

JgJ  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Divine  Nature,  Providence  and  Grace. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord,  'tis  good  to  raise 
Our  hearts  and  voices  in  his  praise, 
His  nature  and  his  works  invite 

To  make  this  duty  our  delight. 

2  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  great  his  might, 
And  all  his  glories  infinite  : 

His  wisdom's  vast,  and  knows  no  bound, 
A  deep  where  all  our  thoughts  are  drowned. 

3  He  loves  the  meek,  rewards  the  just, 
Humbles  the  wicked  in  the  dust, 
Melts  and  subdues  the  stubborn  soul, 
And  makes  the  broken  spirit  whole. 

4  The  good  are  precious  in  his  sight, 
He  views  his  children  with  delight, 

He  sees  their  hope,  he  knows  their  fear, 
Approves  and  loves  his  image  there. 

132  C.  M.  Watts. 

Fore-knowledge  and  Providence  of  God. 

1  Let  the  whole  race  of  creatures  lie 
Abased  before  the  Lord ; 
Whate'er  his  powerful  hand  has  formed 
He  governs  with  a  word, 

K  109 


133  GOVERNMENT  AND 

2  Ten  thousand  ages  ere  the  skies 

Were  into  motion  brought, 
All  the  long  years  and  worlds  to  come 
Stood  present  to  his  thought, 

3  There's  not  a  sparrow  or  a  worm 

O'erlooked  in  his  decrees, 
He  raises  monarchs  to  a  throne, 
Or  sinks  with  equal  ease. 

4  If  light  attend  the  course  I  go, 

'Tis  he  provides  the  rays ; 
And  'tis  his  hand  that  hides  the  sun, 
If  darkness  cloud  my  days. 

5  Trusting  his  wisdom  and  his  love, 

I  would  not  wish  to  know 
What  in  the  book  of  his  decrees 
Awaits  me  here  below. 

6  Be  this  alone  my  fervent  prayer, 

Whate'er  my  lot  shall  be, 
Or  joys  or  sorrows,  may  they  form 
My  soul  for  heaven  and  thee. 

133  S.  M.  Watts. 

God? s  Universal  Dominion. 

1  The  Lord,  the  sovereign  King, 
Hath  fixed  his  throne  on  high, 

O'er  all  the  heavenly  world  he  rules, 
And  all  beneath  the  sky. 

2  Ye  angels  great  in  might, 
And  swift  to  do  his  will, 

no 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  134 

Bless  ye  the  Lord,  whose  voice  ye  hear, 
Whose  pleasure  ye  fulfil. 

3       While  all  his  wondrous  works 
Through  his  vast  kingdom  show 
Their  Maker's  glory,  thou,  my  soul, 
Shalt  sing  his  praises  too. 

134  C.  M.  Watts. 

God's  Eternal  Dominion. 

1  Great  God,  how  infinite  art  thou  ! 

How  frail  and  helpless  we  ! 
Let  the  whole  race  of  creatures  bow. 
And  pay  their  praise  to  thee. 

2  Thy  throne  eternal  ages  stood, 

E'er  seas  or  stars  were  made ; 
Thou  art  the  everliving  God, 
Were  all  the  nations  dead. 

3  Nature  and  time  all  open  lie 

To  thine  immense  survey, 
From  the  formation  of  the  sky 
To  the  last  awful  day. 

4  Eternity  with  all  its  years 

Stands  present  to  thy  view, 
To  thee  there's  nothing  old  appears, 
Great  God,  there's  nothing  new, 

5  Our  lives  through  various  scenes  are  drawn, 

And  vexed  with  trifling  cares, 
While  thine  eternal  thought  moves  on, 
Thine  undisturbed  affairs. 
in 


135  GOVERNMENT  AND 

6  Great  God,  how  infinite  art  thou ! 
How  frail  and  helpless  we  ! 
Let  the  whole  race  of  creatures  bow, 
And  pay  their  praise  to  thee. 


Jg|j  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

GocVs  Government  Ziorfs  Joy. 

1  Ye  subjects  of  the  Lord,  proclaim 
The  royal  honors  of  his  name ; 

"Jehovah  reigns,"  be  all  your  song. 
Tis  he  thy  God,  O  Zion,  reigns. 
'  Prepare  thy  most  harmonious  strains, 
Glad  hallelujahs  to  prolong. 

2  Ye  princes,  boast  no  more  your  crown, 
But  lay  the  glittering  trifle  down 

In  lowly  honor  at  his  feet ; 
A  span  your  narrow  empire  bounds ; 
He  reigns  beyond  created  rounds, 

In  self-sufficient  glory  great. 

3  Tremble,  ye  pageants  of  a  day, 
Formed  like  your  slaves,  of  brittle  clay ; 

Down  to  the  dust  your  sceptres  bend ; 
To  everlasting  years  He  reigns, 
And  undiminished  pomp  maintains, 

When  kings  and  suns  and  time  shall 
end. 

4  So  shall  his  favoured  Zion  live ; 
In  vain  confederate  nations  strive 

Her  sacred  turrets  to  destroy ; 

112 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  136" 

Her  Sovereign  sits  enthroned  above, 
And  endless  power  and  endless  love 
Insure  her  safety  and  her  joy. 


Igg  P.  M.  Watts 

Stability  of  the  Divine  Government. 

1  The  Lord  of  glory  reigns — he  reigns  on 

high; 
His  robes  of  state  are  strength  and  majesty; 
The  universe  arose  at  his  command, 
Built  by  his  word,  and  'stablished  by  his 
hand : 
Long  stood  his  throne  ere  he  began  creation, 
And  his  own  godhead  is  the  firm  foundation. 

2  God  is  the  Eternal  King.  Thy  foes  in  vain 
Raise  their  rebellions  to  confound  thy  reign : 
In  vain  the  storms,  in  vain  the  floods  arise, 
And  roar  and  toss  their  waves  against  the 

skies, 

Foaming  at  heaven,  they  rage  with  wild  com- 
motion, 

But  heaven's  high  arches  scorn  the  swelling1 
ocean. 

3  Ye  tempests,  rage  no  more,  ye  floods,,  be 

still ; 
And  the  mad  world  submissive  to  his  will : 
Built  on  his  truth,  his  church  must  ever 

stand, 
Firm  are  his  promises,  and  strong  his  hand, 

K*  113 

. .  ..  .    . 


137  GOVERNMENT  AND 

See  his  own  sons,  when  they  appear  before 

hirn, 
Bow  at  his  footstool,  and  with  fear  adore  him. 


Jg'J'  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

Reverence  due  to  the  Supreme  Governor. 

1  The  Lord  of  glory  reigns  supremely  great, 
And  o'er  heaven's  arches  builds  his  royal 

seat : 
Through  worlds   unknown   his   sovereign 

sway  extends, 
Nor  space  nor  time  his  boundless  empire 
ends : 
His  eye  beholds  the  affairs  of  every  nation, 
And  reads  each  thought  through  his  immense 
creation. 

2  Lightnings  and  storms  his   mighty  word 

obey, 
And  planets  roll  where  he  has  marked  their 

way : 
Unnumbered   cherubs   veiled   before    him 

stand, 
And  at  his  signal  all  their  wings  expand : 
His  praise  gives  harmony  to  all  their  voices, 
And  every  heart  through  the  full  choir  rejoices. 

3  Rebellious  mortals,  cease  your  tumults  vain, 
Nor  longer  such  unequal  war  maintain : 
Let  clay  with  fellow-clay  in  combat  strive, 
But  dread  to  brave  the  power  by  which  you 

live: 

in 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  138,  139 

With  contrite  hearts  fall  prostrate  and  adore 

him, 
For  if  he  frown,  ye  perish  all  before  him. 

fg§  C.  M.  Needham. 

God  no  Respecter  of  Persons. 

1  With  eye  impartial,  heaven's  high  King 

Surveys  each  human  tribe, 
No  earthly  pomp  his  eyes  can  charm, 
Nor  wealth  his  favor  bribe. 

2  The  rich  and  poor  of  equal  clay 

His  powerful  hand  did  frame ; 
All  souls  are  his,  and  him  alike 
Their  common  Parent  claim. 

3  Ye  sons  of  men  of  high  degree 

Your  great  Superior  own ; 
Praise  him  for  all  his  gifts,  and  pay 
Your  homage  at  his  throne. 

4  Trust  in  the  Lord,  ye  humble  poor, 
j    And  banish  every  fear ; 

The  God  you  serve  will  ne'er  forsake 
The  man  of  heart  sincere. 

139  L.  M.  Scott. 

Equity  of  the  Divine  Dispensations. 

1  Who,  gracious  Father,  can  complain 
Under  thy  mild  and  gentle  reign  ? 
Who  does  a  weight  of  duty  share 
More  than  his  aids  and  powers  can  bear  ? 

115 


140  GOVERNMENT  AND 

2  With  differing  climes  and  differing  lands, 
With  fertile  plains  and  barren  sands, 
Thy  hand  hath  framed  this  earthly  round, 
And  set  each  nation  in  its  bound. 

3  So  various,  thy  celestial  ray 

Here  sheds  a  full,  there  fainter  day  : 
The  God  of  all,  unkind  to  none, 
To  all  the  path  of  life  has  shown. 

4  Large  is  the  bounty  of  his  hand, 
He  will  a  large  return  demand : 
Haste,  then,  life's  arduous  work  pursue, 
And  keep  the  heavenly  prize  in  view. 

140  C.  M.  Newton. 

The  Mystery  and  Benignity  of  Providence. 

1  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way 

His  wonders  to  perform, 
He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 
And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

2  Deep  in  unfathomable  mines 

Of  never-failing  skill. 
He  treasures  up  his  great  designs, 
And  works  his  sovereign  will. 

3  Ye  fearful  souls,  fresh  courage  take, 

The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread 
Are  big  with  mercy,  and  will  break 
In  blessings  on  your  head. 

4  Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense, 

But  trust  him  for  his  grace ; 

116 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  141 

Behind  a  frowning  providence 
He  hides  a  smiling  face. 

5  Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 
And  scan  his  work  in  vain : 
God  is  his  own  interpreter, 
And  he  will  make  it  plain. 

141  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Mystery  of  Providence  Unfolded, 

1  There  is  a  righteous  God, 
Nor  is  religion  vain, 

Though  men  of  vice  may  boast  aloud, 
And  virtuous  men  complain. 

2  I  saw  the  wicked  rise, 
And  felt  my  heart  repine, 

While  haughty  fools  with  scornful  eyes 
In  robes  of  honor  shine. 

3  The  tumults  of  my  thought 
Held  me  in  deep  suspense, 

Till  to  thy  house  my  feet  were  brought, 
To  learn  thy  justice  thence. 

4  Thy  word,  with  light  and  power, 
Did  my  mistakes  amend ; 

I  viewed  the  sinner's  life  before, 
But  here  I  learnt  their  end. 

5  Lord,  at  thy  feet  I  bow ; 

My  thoughts  no  more  repine ; 
I  call  my  God  my  portion  now, 
And  all  my  powers  are  thine. 

117 


142  GOVERNMENT  AND 

142  L*  M*  Bristol  Col. 

The  Mysteries  of  Providence  to  be  solved  hereafter. 

1  The  heart  dejected  sighs  to  know 
Why  vice  triumphant  reigns  below ; 
Why  saints  have  fallen  in  every  age 
The  victims  of  tyrannic  rage. 

2  Fast  roll  successive  years  away, 
Fast  hastens  on  the  important  day, 
When,  to  the  astonished  world's  surprise, 
God's  high  tribunal  shall  arise. 

3  Hark  !  'tis  the  trumpet's  piercing  sound, 
The  rising  dead  assemble  round ; 

In  close  procession,  see  !  they  come, 
Each  to  receive  his  righteous  doom. 

4  Lo  there  a  vile,  degenerate  race  ; 
Pale  terror  sits  on  every  face : 
Here  on  the  right  a  joyful  band, 
The  sons  of  suffering  virtue  stand. 

5  The  sentence  passed,  lo,  these  arise 
To  bliss  and  glory  in  the  skies : 

While  those  who  once  stood  high  in  fame, 
Sink  to  contempt,  remorse,  and  shame. 

6  Thus  shall  God's  providence  appear 
Without  a  shade,  divinely  fair, 

And  blushing  doubt,  with  joy,  confess 
The  Lord's  a  God  of  righteousness. 

118 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  143,  144 

J4g  CM.  Watts. 

Natural  and  Moral  Providence. 

1  The  world  of  nature,  Lord,  is  thine, 

The  darkness  and  the  day  : 
Thou  didst  command  the  morn  to  shine, 
And  mark  the  sun's  bright  way.- 

2  Thy  power  hath  traced  the  winding  coast, 

Hath  given  the  sea  its  bounds ; 
With  summer's  heat  and  winter's  frost, 
In  their  perpetual  rounds. 

3  O  who  can  stand  before  thy  sight, 

When  once  thy  wrath  appears  ? 
When   heaven   shall   blaze  with   dreadful 
light, 
The  earth  lies  still  and  fears. 

4  When  God  in  his  mysterious  ways 

Comes  down  to  save  the  opprest, 
The  wrath  of  man  shall  work  his  praise, 
And  he'll  restrain  the  rest. 


|_4.4.  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Universal  Providence  of  God. 

1  Vast  are  thy  works,  almighty  Lord, 
All  nature  rests  upon  thy  word : 
Thy  glories  in  the  heavens  we  see, 
The  spacious  earth  is  full  of  thee. 

2  The  various  tribes  of  creatures  stand, 
Waiting  their  portion  from  thy  hand ; 

119 


145  GOVERNMENT  AND 

And  while  they  take  their  different  food, 
Their  cheerful  looks  pronounce  thee  good. 

3  Whene'er  thy  face  is  hid  they  mourn, 
And  dying  to  their  dust  return ; 

Both  man  and  beast  their  souls  resign ; 
Life,  breath  and  spirit,  all  are  thine. 

4  Yet  thou  canst  breathe  on  dust  again, 
And  fill  the  world  with  beasts  and  men ; 
A  word  of  thy  creating  breath 
Repairs  the  wastes  of  time  and  death. 

5  The  earth  stands  trembling  at  thy  stroke, 
And  at  thy  touch  the  mountains  smoke ; 
Yet  humble  souls  may  see  thy  face, 
And  tell  their  wants  to  sovereign  grace. 

6  In  thee  my  hopes  and  wishes  meet, 
And  make  my  meditations  sweet; 
I,  to  my  God,  my  heavenly  King, 
Immortal  hallelujahs  sing. 

Jzj.|5  L.  M.  Liverpool  Col. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  earth  and  all  the  heavenly  frame 
Their  great  Creator's  love  proclaim ; 
He  gives  the  sun  his  genial  power, 
And  sends  the  soft  refreshing  shower. 

2  The  ground  with  plenty  blooms  again, 
And  yields  her  various  fruits  to  men ; 
To  men,  who  from  thy  bounteons  hand 
Receive  the  gifts  of  every  land. 

120 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  146 

3  Nor  to  the  human  race  alone 

Is  thy  paternal  goodness  shown ; 
The  tribes  of  earth  and  sea  and  air 
.    Enjoy  thy  universal  care. 

4  Not  even  a  sparrow  yields  its  breath 
Till  God  permit  the  stroke  of  death ; 
He  hears  the  ravens  when  they  call, 
The  Father  and  the  Friend  of  all. 

146  L.  M.  Dyer. 

Providence  Jlchwivledged. 

1  Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  life, 
Sovereign  of  air,  of  earth,  and  sea, 
All  nature  feels  thy  power,  but  man 
A  grateful  tribute  pays  to  thee. 

2  Subject  to  wants,  to  thee  he  looks, 
And  from  thy  goodness  seeks  supplies ; 
And  when  oppressed  with  guilt  he  mourns, 
Thy  mercy  lifts  him  to  the  skies. 

3  Children  whose  little  minds  unformed 
Ne'er  raised  a  tender  thought  to  heaven, 
And  men  whom  reason  lifts  to  God, 
Though  oft  by  passion  downward  driven  : 

4  Those  too  who  bend  with  age  and  care, 
And  faint  and  tremble  near  the  tomb, 
Who,  sickening  at  the  present  scenes, 
Sigh  for  that  better  state  to  come  : 

5  All,  great  Creator,  all  are  thine, 
All  feel  thy  providential  care, 

L  121 


147  GOVERNMENT  AND 

And  through  each  varying  scene  of  life 
Alike  thy  constant  pity  share. 

6  And  whether  grief  oppress  the  heart, 
Or  whether  joy  elate  the  breast, 

Or  life  still  keep  its  little  course, 
Or  death  invite  the  heart  to  rest, 

7  All  are  thy  messengers,  and  all 
Thy  sacred  pleasure,  Lord,  obey ; 
And  all  are  training  man  to  dwell 
Nearer  to  bliss  and  nearer  Thee. 

147  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Providence  Acknowledged. 

1  Great  God,  while  nature  speaks  thy  praise 

With  all  her  numerous  tongues, 
Thy  children  tune  diviner  lays, 
And  love  inspires  their  songs. 

2  Thy  power  and  grandeur  they  shall  sing, 

The  glories  of  thy  reign ; 
Thy  wondrous  deeds,  almighty  King, 
Shall  fill  the  raptured  strain. 

3  Thy  kingdom,  Lord,  for  ever  stands, 

While  earthly  thrones  decay ; 
And  time  submits  to  thy  commands, 
While  ages  roll  away. 

4  To  thee,  O  Lord,  for  daily  meat 

Thy  creatures  lift  their  eyes ; 
On  thee,  their  common  Father,  wait, 
From  thee  receive  supplies. 

122 


■41 

PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  143 

5  Thy  sovereign  bounty. freely  gives 

Its  unexhausted  store, 
And  universal  nature  lives 
On  thy  sustaining  power, 

6  The  praise  of  God.  delightful  theme, 

Shall  fill  my  heart  and  tongue ; 
Let  all  creation  bless  his  name 
In  one  eternal  song. 

14-8  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Bounty  of  Providence  Improved. 

1  Father  of  lights,  we  sing  thy  name, 
Who  kindlest  up  the  lamp  of  day ; 
Wide  as  he  spreads  his  golden  flame, 
His  beams  thy  power  and  love  display. 

2  Fountain  of  good,  from  thee  proceeds 
In  copious  drops  the  genial  rain, 

Which  through  the  hills  and  through  the 

meads 
Revive  the  grass  and  swell  the  grain. 

3  Through  the  wide  world  thy  bounties  spread, 
Yet  millions  of  our  guilty  race, 

Though  by  thy  daily  bounty  fed, 
Affront  thy  law,  reject  thy  grace. 

4  Not  so  may  our  forgetful  hearts 
O'erlook  the  tokens  of  thy  care, 
But  what  thy  liberal  hand  imparts 
Still  own  in  praise,  still  ask  in  prayer. 

5  So  shall  our  suns  more  grateful  shine, 
And  showers  in  sweeter  drops  shall  fall, 

123 


149  GOVERNMENT  AND 

When  all  our  hearts  and  lives  are  thine, 
And  thou,  O  God,  enjoyed  in  all. 

149  S.  M.  Watts. 

God's  Distinguishing  Goodness  to  Man. 

1  O  Lord,  our  heavenly  King, 
Thy  name  is  all  divine, 

Thy  glories  round  the  earth  are  spread, 
And  o'er  the  heavens  they  shine. 

2  When  to  thy  works  above 
I  raise  my  wondering  eyes, 

And  see  the  moon,  fair  queen  of  night, 
In  peerless  splendor  rise ; 

3  When  I  survey  the  stars 
That  fill  the  vaulted  sky, 

Lord,  what  is  man,  that  he  should  stand 
In  thy  regard  so  high  ? 

4  Or  what  the  son  of  man, 

That  thou  shouldst  love  him  so  ? 
Next  to  thine  angels  is  he  placed, 
And  lord  of  all  below. 

5  Thine  honors  crown  his  head, 
While  subject  beasts  obey, 

And  birds  that  cut  the  air  with  wings, 
And  fish  that  cleave  the  sea. 

6  How  rich  thy  bounties  are, 
And  wondrous  are  thy  ways ! 

Of  dust  and  worms  thy  power  can  frame 
A  monument  of  praise. 

124 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  150,   151 

J5Q  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Thy  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness,  Lord, 

In  all  thy  works  appear ; 
But  most  thy  praise  should  man  record, 
Man,  thy  distinguished  care. 

2  From  thee  the  breath  of  life  he  drew, 

That  breath  thy  power  maintains ; 
Thy  tender  mercy,  ever  new, 
His  brittle  frame  sustains. 

3  Thy  providence  his  constant  guard 

When  threatening  ills  impend, 
Or  will  the  impending  dangers  ward, 
Or  timely  succors  lend. 

4  Yet  nobler  favors  claim  his  praise, 

Of  reason's  light  possest ; 
By  revelation's  brighter  rays 
Still  more  divinely  blest. 

5  All  bounteous  Lord,  thy  grace  impart, 

O  teach  me  to  improve 
Thy  gifts  with  ever  grateful  heart, 
And  crown  them  with  thy  love. 

151  L.  M.  Watts. 

Divine  Protection. 

1  Up  to  the  hills  I  lift  mine  eyes, 
The  eternal  hills  beyond  the  skies ; 
Thence  all  her  help  my  soul  derives, 
There  my  almighty  Refuge  lives. 

l*  125 


152  GOVERNMENT  AND 

2  He  lives,  the  everlasting  God, 

That  built  the  world,  that  spread  the  flood ; 
The  heavens  with  all  their  hosts  he  made. 
And  the  dark  regions  of  the  dead. 

3  He  guides  our  feet,  he  guards  our  way, 
His  morning  smiles  bless  all  the  day  ; 
He  spreads  the  evening  veil  and  keeps 
The  silent  hours  while  Israel  sleeps. 

4  His  servants  thus  divinely  blest, 
May  rise  secure,  securely  rest ; 
Their  holy  guardian's  wakeful  eyes 
Admit  no  slumber  nor  surprise. 

5  No  sun  shall  smite  their  head  by  day, 
Nor  the  pale  moon  with  sickly  ray 
Shall  blast  their  couch ;  no  baleful  star 
Dart  his  malignant  fire  so  far. 

6  With  fiercest  rage  should  malice  burn, 
Still  they  shall  go  and  still  return 
Safe  in  the  Lord ;  his  heavenly  care 
Defends  their  lives  from  every  snare. 

J52  P-  M'  Watts, 

The  same  subject. 

1  Upward  I  lift  mine  eyes, 
From  God  is  all  my  aid, 
The  God  who  built  the  skies, 
And  earth's  foundations  laid  : 

God  is  the  Tower 

To  which  I  fly ; 

12G 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  153 


His  grace  is  nigh 
In  every  hour. 


2  My  feet  shall  never  slide 
Or  fall  in  fatal  snares ; 

Since  God,  my  guard  and  guide, 
Defends  me  from  my  fears. 

Those  wakeful  eyes 

That  never  sleep, 

Shall  Israel  keep 

When  dangers  rise. 

3  No  burning  heats  by  day, 
Nor  blasts  of  evening  air, 
Shall  take  my  health  away, 
If  God  be  with  me  there. 

Thou  art  my  Sun, 
And  thou  my  Shade, 
To  guard  my  head 
By  night  or  noon. 

4  Hast  thou  not  given  thy  word 
To  save  my  soul  from  death  ? 
And  I  can  trust  the  Lord 

To  keep  my  mortal  breath  : 
I'll  go  and  come, 
Nor  fear  to  die, 
Till  from  on  high 
He  call  me  home. 

153  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Heavenly  Shepherd. 

1       The  Lord  my  Shepherd  is, 
I  shall  be  well  supplied  : 

127 


154  GOVERNMENT  AND 

Since  he  is  mine,  and  I  am  his, 
What  can  I  want  beside  ? 

2  He  leads  me  to  the  place 
Where  heavenly  pasture  grows, 

Where  living  waters  gently  pass, 
And  full  salvation  flows. 

3  Though  from  his  fold  I  stray, 
He  doth  my  steps  restore, 

And  guides  me  in  his  own  right  way, 
That  I  may  err  no  more. 

4  While  he  affords  his  aid 
I  cannot  yield  to  fear ; 

Though  I  should  walk  through  death's  dark 
shade, 
My  Shepherd's  with  me  there. 

XI54L  S.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  While  God  my  Father's  near, 
My  Shepherd  and  my  Guide, 

I  bid  farewell  to  anxious  fear ; 
My  wants  are  all  supplied. 

2  To  ever-fragrant  meads 
Where  rich  abundance  grows, 

His  gracious  hand  indulgent  leads, 
And  guards  my  sweet  repose. 

3  Along  the  lovely  scene 
Cool  waters  gently  roll, 

And  kind  refreshment  smiles  serene 
To  cheer  my  fainting  soul. 

128 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  155 

Here  let  my  spirit  rest : 
How  sweet  a  lot  is  mine  ! 
With  pleasure,  food  and  safety  blest ; 
Beneficence  divine ! 

Great  Shepherd,  if  I  stray, 
My  wandering  feet  restore ; 
To  thy  fair  pastures  guide  my  way. 
And  let  me  rove  no  more. 


JUU  P.  M.  Addison, 

The  same,  subject. 

1  The  Lord  my  pasture  shall  prepare, 
And  feed  me  with  a  shepherd's  care ; 
His  presence  shall  my  wants  supply, 
And  guard  me  with  a-  watchful  eye ; 
My  noon-day  walks  he  shall  attend, 
And  all  my  midnight  hours  defend. 

2  When  in  the  sultry  glebe  I  faint, 
Or  on  the  thirsty  mountain  pant, 
To  fertile  vales  and  dewy  meads, 
My  weary,  wandering  steps  he  leads, 
Where  peaceful  rivers,  soft  and  slow, 
Amid  the  verdant  landscape  flow. 

3  Though  in  a  bare  and  rugged  way, 
Through  devious  lonely  wilds  I  stray, 
Thy  presence  shall  my  pains  beguile, 
The  dreary  wilderness  shall  smile 

With  sudden  greens  and  herbage  crowned, 
And  streams  shall  murmur  all  around. 

129 


156  GOVERNMENT  AND 

4  Though  in  the  paths  of  death  I  tread, 
With  gloomy  horrors  overspread, 
My  steadfast  heart  shall  fear  no  ill, 
For  thou,  O  Lord,  art  with  me  still ; 
Thy  friendly  hand  shall  give  me  aid, 
And  guide  me  through  the  dreadful  shade. 

15©  C*  M*  Doddridge. 

God's  Condescension  in  becoming  the  Shepherd  of  Men. 

1  And  will  the  Majesty  of  Heaven' 

Accept  us  for  his  sheep, 
And  with  a  shepherd's  tender  care 
Such  feeble  creatures  keep  ? 

2  And  will  he  spread  his  guardian  arms 

Round  our  defenceless  head, 
And  cause  us  gently  to  lie  down 
In  his  refreshing  shade  ? 

3  And  will  he  lead  our  weary  souls 

To  that  delightful  scene, 
Where  rivers  of  salvation  flow 
Through  pastures  ever  green  ? 

4  What  thanks  can  mortal  men  repay 

For  favors  great  as  thine, 
Or  how  can  tongues  of  feeble  clay 
Proclaim  such  love  divine  ? 

5  Eternal  God,  how  mean  are  we, 

How  richly  gracious  thou  ! 
Our  souls,  o'erwhelmed  with  humble  joy, 
In  silent  transports  bow. 

130 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  157,   158 


\&%  L.  M.  Watts. 

Safety  in  Public  Diseases  and  Dangers. 

1  They  that  have  made  their  refuge  God, 
Shall  find  a  most  secure  abode ; 

Shall  walk  all  day  beneath  his  shade, 
And  there  at  night  shall  rest  their  head. 

2  If  burning  beams  of  noon  conspire 
To  dart  a  pestilential  fire, 

God  is  their  life,  his  wings  are  spread 
To  shield  them  'midst  ten  thousand  dead. 

3  If  vapors  with  malignant  breath 
Rise  thick  and  scatter  midnight  death, 
Still  they  are  safe,  the  poisoned  air 
Again  grows  pure  if  God  be  there. 

4  But  if  the  fire  or  plague  or  sword 
Receive  commission  from  the  Lord 
To  strike  the  good  among  the  rest, 
Their  very  pains  and  deaths  are  blest, 

5  The  sword,  the  pestilence,  or  fire, 
Shall  but  fulfil  their  best  desire, 
From  sins  and  sorrows  set  them  free, 
And  bring  thy  children,  Lord,  to  thee. 

15§  r  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Safety  of  Good  Men  amidst  National  Calamities. 

1  God  is  the  refuge  of  his  saints 

When  storms  of  deep  distress  invade ; 
Ere  we  can  offer  our  complaints, 
Behold  him  present  with  his  aid. 

131 


159  GOVERNMENT  AND 

2  Let  mountains  from  their  seats  be  hurled 
Down  to  the  deep  and  buried  there, 
Convulsions  shake  the  solid  world, 

Our  faith  shall  never  yield  to  fear. 

3  Loud  may  the  troubled  ocean  roar, 
In  sacred  peace  our  souls  abide, 
While  every  nation,  every  shore 
Trembles  and  dreads  the  swelling  tide. 

4  'Midst  storms  and  tempests,  Lord,  thy  word 
Does  every  rising  fear  control ; 

Sweet  peace  thy  promises  afford, 
And  well  sustain  the  fainting  soul. 


J59  CM.     •  Patrick. 

Security  in  God. 

1  Beyond  the  limits  of  the  sky 

Thy  mercy,  Lord,  extends, 
Thy  faithfulness  the  narrow  bounds 
Of  time  and  space  transcends. 

2  Lord,  who  can  duly  prize  that  love 

Thou  bearest  to  the  just  ? 

Under  thy  providence  and  care 

Good  men  securely  trust. 

3  To  those  who  in  thy  love  confide 

Thy  kindness  still  impart, 
And  all  thy  promises  fulfil 
To  men  of  upright  heart. 

132 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  160,  161 

\4y{)  L.  M.  Merrick. 

God  the  Protector  of  Innocence. 

1  Thine  is  the  throne,  beneath  thy  reign, 
Great  King  of  kings,  the  tribes  profane 
Behold  their  dream  of  conquest  o'er, 
And  vanish,  to  be  seen  no  more. 

2  What  eyes  like  thine,  Eternal  Sire, 
Through  sin's  dark  mazes  can  inquire  ? 
What  hand  like  thine  to  virtue's  foes 
Such  awful  judgments  can  oppose  ? 

3  The  meek  observer  of  thy  laws 

To  thee  commits  his  injured  cause  : 
In  thee,  each  anxious  fear  resigned, 
The  fatherless  a  father  find. 

4  Thou,  Lord,  thy  servants'  wish  canst  read, 
Ere  from  their  lips  the  prayer  proceed : 
'Tis  thine  the  drooping  heart  to  cheer, 

To  wipe  away  the  starting  tear ; 

5  To  vindicate  the  sufferer's  cause, 
To  rescue  from  oppression's  jaws, 
To  curb  the  haughty  tyrant's  will, 
And  bid  the  sons  of  pride  be  still. 

161  L.  M.  Bristol  Col. 

All  things  work  together  for  Good  to  the  Righteous. 

1  Not  from  relentless  fate's  dark  womb, 
Or  from  the  dust,  our  troubles  come ; 

M  133 


162  GOVERNMENT  AND 

No  fickle  chance  presides  o'er  grief, 
To  cause  the  pain  or  send  relief. 

2  Look  up,  and  see,  ye  sorrowing  saints, 
The  cause  and  cure  of  your  complaints  : 
Know  'tis  your  heavenly  Father's  will ; 
Bid  every  murmur  then  be  still. 

3  He  sees  we  need  the  painful  yoke  ; 
Yet  love  directs  his  heaviest  stroke  :  - 
He  takes  no  pleasure  in  our  smart, 

But  wounds  to  heal  and  cheer  the  heart, 

4  Blest  trials  those  that  cleanse  from  sin, 
And  make  the  soul  all  pure  within, 
Wean  the  fond  mind  from  earthly  toys, 
To  seek  and  taste  celestial  joys. 


|||9>  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Assurance  of  the  Divine  Presence. 

1  And  art  thou  with  us,  gracious  Lord, 

To  dissipate  our  fear  ? 
Dost  thou  proclaim  thyself  our  God, 
Our  God  for  ever  near  ? 

2  Doth  thy  right  hand,  which  formed  the 

earth, 
And  bears  up  all  the  skies, 
Stretch  from  on  high  its  friendly  aid, 
When  dangers  round  us  rise  f 

3  On  thy  support  our  souls  shall  lean, 

And  banish  every  care ; 

134 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  163 

The  gloomy  vale  of  death  will  smile 
If  God  be  with  us  there. 

4  While  we  his  gracious  succor  prove, 
'Midst  all  our  various  ways, 
The  darkest  shades  through  which  we  pass 
Shall  echo  with  his  praise. 


Igg  C.  M.  Watts. 

Creatures  Vain,  and  God  Ml- sufficient . 

1  Blest  is  the  nation  where  the  Lord 

Hath  fixed  his  gracious  throne, 
Where  he  reveals  his  heavenly  word, 
And  calls  their  tribes  his  own. 

2  His  eye  with  infinite  survey 

Does  the  whole  world  behold ; 
He  formed  us  all  of  equal  clay, 
And  knows  our  feeble  mould. 

3  Kings  are  not  rescued  by  the  force 

Of  armies  from  the  grave, 
Nor  speed  nor  courage  of  a  horse 
Can  the  bold  rider  save. 

4  Vain  is  the  strength  of  beasts  or  men, 

To  hope  for  safety  thence ; 

But  holy  souls  from  God  obtain 

A  strong  and  sure  defence. 

5  God  is  their  fear,  and  God  their  trust. 

In  him  their  safety's  found ; 
His  watchful  eye  secures  the  just, 
Though  thousands  fall  around, 

135 


164,   165  GOVERNMENT  AND 

6  Lord,  let  our  hearts  in  thee  rejoice, 
And  bless  us  from  thy  throne ; 
For  we  have  made  thy  word  our  choice, 
And  trust  thy  grace  alone. 

1©4  O,  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Vicissitudes  of  Providence. 

1  The  gifts  indulgent  heaven  bestows 

Are  variously  conveyed ; 
The  human  mind,  like  nature,  knows 
Alternate  light  and  shade. 

2  While  changing  aspects  all  things  wear, 

Can  we  expect  to  find 
Unclouded  sunshine  all  the  year, 
Or  constant  peace  of  mind  ? 

3  More  gaily  smiles  the  blooming  spring, 

When  wintry  storms  are  o'er ; 
Retreating  sorrow  thus  may  bring 
Delights  unknown  before. 

4  Then,  Christian,  send  thy  fears  away, 

Nor  sink  in  gloomy  care ; 
Though  clouds  o'er  spread  the  scene  to-day, 
To-morrow  may  be  fair. 

165  C.  M.  Jervis. 

Consolatory  Views  of  Providence. 

1  The  God  of  heaven  is  kind  and  just : 
Then  let  not  man  complain, 
Nor  e'er  his  providence  distrust, 
His  high  decrees  arraign. 

136 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  166 

2  Though  clouds  should  darken  all  the  spene, 

Be  this  thy  steadfast  aim, 
Still  to  preserve  a  mind  serene, 
Free  from  all  guilt  and  shame. 

3  The  lowliest  flowers  that  deck  the  field, 

Thy  mute  instructors  are ; 
And  wholesome  admonition  yield 
Against  corroding  care. 

4  O  listen  to  kind  nature's  voice  : 

To  heaven  direct  thine  eyes ; 
There  nobler  objects  claim  thy  choice, 
And  brighter  prospects  rise. 

5  Far  from  anxiety  and  care, 

Still  seek  that  blissful  shore, 
Where  discontent  and,  dark  despair 
Shall  rend  thy  heart  no  more. 

16©  C.  M.  Jervis. 

God  our  Consolation  in  Adversity  and  Distress. 

1  To  calm  the  sorrows  of  the  mind, 

Our  heavenly  Friend  is  nigh, 
To  wipe  the  anxious  tear  that  starts 
Or  trembles  in  the  eye. 

2  Thou  canst,  when  anguish  rends  the  heart, 

The  secret  woe  control ; 
The  inward  malady  canst  heal, 
The  sickness  of  the  soul. 

3  Thou  canst  repress  the  rising  sigh ; 

Canst  soothe  each  mortal  care  ; 

- 

m*  137 


167  GOVERNMENT  AND 

And  every  deep  and  heart-felt  groan 
Is  wafted  to  thine  ear. 

4  Thy  gracious  eye  is  watchful  still ; 

Thy  potent  arm  can  save 
From  threatening  danger  and  disease, 
And  the  devouring  grave. 

5  When,  pale  and  languid  all  the  frame, 

The  ruthless  hand  of  pain 
Arrests  the  feeble  powers  of  life, 
The  help  of  man  is  vain. 

6  'Tis  thou,  great  God,  alone  canst  check 

The  progress  of  disease ; 
And  sickness,  awed  by  power  divine, 
The  high  command  obeys. 

7  Eternal  Source  of  life  and  health, 

And  every  bliss  we  feel, 
In  sorrow  and  in  joy  to  thee 
Our  grateful  hearts  appeal. 


Jgty  C.  M.  Tate  and  Brady. 

Experience  of  GooVs  Goodness. 

1  Through  all  the  changing  scenes  of  life, 

In  trouble  and  in  joy, 
The  praises  of  my  God  shall  still 
My  heart  and  tongue  employ. 

2  Of  his  deliverance  I  will  boast, 

Till  all  who  are  distrest 

138 


PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD.  167 

From  my  example  comfort  take. 
And  charm  their  griefs  to  rest. 

3  The  hosts  of  God  encamp  around 

The  dwellings  of  the  just ; 
Protection  he  affords  to  all 

Who  make  his  name  their  trust. 

4  O  make  but  trial  of  his  love, 

Experience  will  decide 
How  blest  are  they,  and  only  they, 
Who  in  his  truth  confide. 

5  Fear  him,  ye  just,  and  you  will  then 

Have  nothing  else  to  fear  : 
Make  you  his  service  your  delight ; 
Your  wants  shall  be  his  care, 

139 


PART   VI. 

THANKSGIVING. 


Jgg  S.  M.  Mrs.  Steexe. 

Obligation  to.  Gratitude  and  Praise. 

My  Maker  and  my  King, 
To  thee  my  all  I  owe ; 
Thy  sovereign  bounty  is  the  spring 
From  whence  my  blessings  flow. 

Thou  ever  good  and  kind, 

A  thousand  reasons  move, 

A  thousand  obligations  bind 

My  heart  to  grateful  love. 

The  creature  of  thy  hand, 
On  thee  alone  I  live ; 
My  God,  thy  benefits  demand 

More  praise  than  tongue  can  give. 

O  what  can  I  impart 
When  all  was  thine  before  ? 
Thy  love  demands  a  thankful  heart, 
The  gift,  alas,  how  poor ! 

Shall  I  withhold  thy  due  ? 
And  shall  my  passions  rove  ? 
Lord,  make  me  to  thy  service  true, 
And  fill  me  with  thy  love. 

140 


THANKSGIVING,  169,  170 

6       O  let  thy  grace  inspire 

My  soul  with  strength  divine ; 
Let  all  my  powers  to  thee  aspire, 
And  all  my  days  be  thine. 

Jg9  L.  M.  Watts. 

Praise  for  Temporal  Blessings. 

1  We  bless  the  Lord,  the  just,  the  good, 
Who  fills  our  hearts  with  joy  and  food, 
Who  pours  his  blessings  from  the  skies, 
And  loads  our  days  with  rich  supplies. 

2  He  sends  the  sun  his  circuit  round, 

To  cheer  the  fruits,  to  warm  the  ground  ; 
He  bids  the  clouds  with  plenteous  rain 
Refresh  the  thirsty  earth  again. 

3  'Tis  to  his  care  we  owe  our  breath, 
And  all  our  near  escapes  from  death : 
Safety  and  health  to  God  belong : 

He  helps  the  weak,  he  guards  the  strong. 

4  He  makes  the  saint  and  sinner  prove 
The  common  blessings  of  his  love  ; 
But  the  wide  difference  shall  appear 
When  the  rewarding  day  draws  near. 

170  C.  M.  Flexman, 

God  our  Constant  Benefactor. 

1  Great  God,  to  thee  my  grateful  tongue 
My  fervent  thanks  shall  raise  : 
Inspire  my  heart  to  raise  the  song 
Which  celebrates  thy  praise. 

141 


171  THANKSGIVING. 

2  From  thy  almighty  forming  hand 

I  drew  my  vital  powers ; 
My  time  revolves  at  thy  command, 
In  all  its  circling  hours. 

3  Thy  power,  my  ever  present  guard. 

From  every  ill  defends ; 
While  numerous  dangers  hover  round, 
My  help  from  thee  descends. 

4  Beneath  the  shadow  of  thy  wings, 

How  sweet  is  my  repose  ! 
Thy  morning  light  renews  the  springs 
From  whence  my  comfort  flows. 

5  In  celebration  of  thy  praise 

I  will  employ  my  breath : 
And  walking  steadfast  in  thy  ways, 
Will  triumph  over  death. 


IfX  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

God  the  Author  of  all  our  Comforts. 

1  Great  Source  of  life,  our  souls  confess 
The  various  riches  of  thy  grace ; 
Crowned  with  thy  mercy,  we  rejoice. 
And  in  thy  praise  exalt  our  voice. 

2  By  thee  the  vault  of  heaven  was  spread ; 
By  thee  the  earth's  foundations  laid ; 
And  all  the  scenes  of  man's  abode 
Proclaim  a  wise  and  gracious  God. 

142 


THANKSGIVING.  172 

3  Thy  quickening  hand  restores  our  breath, 
When  trembling  on  the  verge  of  death ; 
Gently  it  wipes  away  our  tears, 

And  lengthens  life  to  future  years. 

4  Our  lives  are  sacred  to  the  Lord, 
Kindled  by  him,  by  him  restored ; 
And  while  our  hours  renew  their  race, 
May  sin  no  more  these  hours  disgrace ! 

5  So  when  at  length  by  thee  we're  led 
Through  unknown  regions  of  the  dead, 
With  hope  triumphant,  may  we  move 
To  scenes  of  nobler  life  above. 

172  L*  M*  Merrick. 

God,  Preserver,  Benefactor,  and  Saviour, 

1  How  well  our  great  Preserver  knows 
To  weigh,  and  to  relieve  our  woes  ! 
Behold  his  wrath's  avenging  blast, 
How  slow  to  rise,  how  soon  o'erpast ! 

2  How  prompt  his  favor  to  dispense 
Its  life-imparting  influence ! 
How  speedy  his  paternal  love 
Our  deep  afflictions  to  remove  ! 

3  Grief  for  a  night,  obtrusive  guest, 
Beneath  our  roof  perchance  my  rest ; 
But  joy,  with  the  returning  day, 
Shall  wipe  each  transient  tear  away. 

4  Since  thou  wilt  hearken  to  my  prayer, 
Again  the  face  of  joy  I  w^ear  : 

143 


173  THANKSGIVING. 

Thy  strength  my  fainting  spirit  cheers, 
And  checks  my  griefs  and  calms  my  fears. 

5  With  what  delight,  great  God,  I  trace 
The  acts  of  thy  stupendous  grace  ! 
To  count  them  were  to  count  the  sand 
That  lies  upon  the  sea-beat  strand. 

jyjj  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Blessings  of  Providence 

1  Almighty  Father,  gracious  Lord, 

Kind  guardian  of  my  days, 
Thy  mercies  let  my  heart  record 
In  songs  of  grateful  praise. 

2  In  life's  first  dawn,  my  tender  frame 

Was  thy  indulgent  care ; 
Long  ere  I  could  pronounce  thy  name, 
Or  breathe  the  infant  prayer. 

3  When  reason  with  my  stature  grew, 

How  weak  her  brightest  ray  ! 
How  little  of  my  God  I  knew ! 
How  apt  from  thee  to  stray ! 

4  Around  my  path  what  dangers  rose  ! 

What  snares  o'erspread  my  road  ! 
No  power  could  guard  me  from  my  foes, 
But  my  preserver,  God. 

5  When  life  hung  trembling  on  a  breath, 

'Twas  thy  unceasing  love 
That  saved  me  from  impending  death, 
And  bade  my  fears  remove. 

144 


THANKSGIVING.  174 

6  Lord,  though,  this  mortal  frame  decays, 

And  earthly  comfort  flies, 
Complete  the  wonders  of  thy  grace, 
And  raise  me  to  the  skies. 

7  Then  shall  my  joyful  powers  unite 

In  more  exalted  lays, 
And  join  the  happy  sons  of  light 
In  everlasting  praise. 

JiJ^.  C.  M.  Addison. 

Gratitude  to  God. 

1  When  all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God, 

My  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  with  the  view,  I'm  lost 
In  wonder,  love  and, praise. 

2  Thy  providence  my  life  sustained 

And  all  my  wants  redressed 
When  in  the  silent  womb  I  la}^ 
Or  hung  upon  the  breast. 

3  To  all  my  weak  complaints  and  cries 

Thy  mercy  lent  an  ear, 
Ere  yet  my  feeble  thoughts  had  learnt 
To  form  themselves  in  prayer. 

4  Unnumbered  comforts  on  my  soul 

Thy  tender  care  bestowed, 
Before  my  infant  heart  conceived 
From  whom  those  comforts  flowed. 

5  When  in  the  slippery  paths  of  youth 

With  heedless  steps  I  ran, 

N  145 


175  THANKSGIVING. 

9 

Thine  arm  unseen  conveyed  me  safe, 
And  led  me  up  to  man. 

6  Through  hidden  dangers,  toils  and  deaths, 

It  gently  cleared  my  way. 
And  through  the  hidden  snares  of  vice, 
More  to  be  feared  than  they. 

7  When  nature  fails,  and  day  and  night 

Divide  thy  works  no  more, 
My  ever  grateful  heart,  O  Lord, 
Thy  mercy  shall  adore. 

1?5  C.  M.  Addison. 

The  same  subject. 

1  O  how  shall  words  with  equal  warmth 

The  gratitude  declare 
That  glows  in  my  enraptured  heart ; 
But  thou  canst  read  it  there. 

2  Thy  bounteous  hand  with  worldly  bliss 

Hath  made  my  cup  run  o'er, 
And  in  a  kind  and  faithful  friend 
Hath  doubled  all  my  store. 

3  Ten  thousand  thousand  precious  gifts 

My  daily  thanks  employ ; 
Nor  is  the  least  a  cheerful  heart, 
Which  tastes  those  gifts  with  joy. 

4  When  worn  by  sickness,  oft  hast  thou 

With  health  renewed  my  face, 
And  when  in  sins  and  sorrows  sunk, 
Revived  my  soul  with  grace. 

146 


THANKSGIVING.  176 

5  Through  every  period  of  my  life 

Thy  goodness  I'll  pursue, 
And  after  death,  in  unknown  worlds 
The  glorious  theme  renew. 

6  Through  all  eternity  to  thee 

A  joyful  song  I'll  raise ; 
But  O  eternity's  too  short 
To  utter  all  thy  praise. 

J_^@  L.  M.  Doddridge, 

Gratitude  to  God  for  his  innumerable  Mercies, 

1  In  glad  amazement,  Lord,  I  stand 
Amidst  the  bounties  of  thy  hand ; 
How  numberless  those  bounties  are ! 
How  rich,  how  various,  and  how  fair  ! 

2  But  0  what  poor  returns  I  make  ! 
What  lifeless  thanks  I  pay  thee  back  ! 
Lord,  I  confess  with  humble  shame, 
My  offerings  scarce  deserve  the  name. 

3  Fain  would  my  lab' ring  heart  devise 
To  bring  some  nobler  sacrifice ; 

It  sinks  beneath  the  mighty  load  : 
"  What  shall  I  render  to  my  God  ?" 

4  To  him  I  consecrate  my  praise 
And  vow  the  remnant  of  my  days ; 
Yet  what  at  best  can  I  pretend, 
Worthy  such  gifts  from  such  a  friend  ! 

5  In  deep  abasement,  Lord,  I  see 
My  emptiness  and  poverty ; 

147 


177  THANKSGIVING, 

Enrich  my  soul  with  grace  divine, 
And  make  me  worthy  to  be  thine. 

6  Give  me  at  length  an  angel's  tongue, 
That  heaven  may  echo  with  my  song  ; 
The  theme,  too  great  for  time,  shall  be 
The  joy  of  long  eternity. 

Jiyiy  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Blessings  of  Providence  and  Redemption. 

1  My  God,  what  blessings  round  me  shone, 

Where'er  I  turned  mine  eye ! 
How  many  passed  almost  unknown 
Or  unregarded  by ! 

2  Each  rolling  year  new  favors  brought 

From  thine  exhaustless  store ; 
But  ah,  in  vain  my  lab 'ring  thought 
Would  count  thy  mercies  o'er. 

'i  While  sweet  reflection  through  my  days 
Thy  bounteous  hand  would  trace, 
Still  dearer  blessings  claim  my  praise, 
The  blessings  of  thy  grace. 

4  Yes,  I  adore  thee,  gracious  Lord, 

For  favors  more  divine, 
That  I  have  known  thy  sacred  word. 
Where  all  thy  glories  shine. 

5  My  highest  praise,  alas,  how  poor ! 

How  cold  my  warmest  love  ! 
My  Father,  teach  me  to  adore 
As  angels  do  above. 

148 


THANKSGIVING.  178 

6  But  frail  mortality  in  vain 
Attempts  the  blissful  song ; 
The  high,  the  vast,  the  boundless  strain, 
Claims  an  immortal  tongue. 


178  P.  M.  H.  M, 

The  Love  of  God. 

1  My  God,  thy  boundless  love  I  praise  ; 
How  bright  on  high  its  glories  blaze  ! 

How  sweetly  bloom  below ! 
It  streams  from  thine  eternal  throne, 
Through  heaven  its  joys  for  ever  run, 

And  o'er  the  earth  they  flow. 

2  'Tis  love  that  paints  the  purple  morn, 
And  bids  the  clouds  in  air  upborne 

Their  genial  drops  distil ; 
In  every  vernal  beam  it  glows, 
And  breathes  in  every  gale  that  blows, 

And  glides  in  every  rill. 

3  It  robes  in  cheerful  green  the  ground, 
And  pours  its  flowery  beauties  round, 

Whose  sweets  perfume  the  gale ; 
Its  bounties  richly  spread  the  plain, 
The  blushing  fruit,  the  golden  grain, 

And  smile  on  every  vale. 

4  But  in  thy  word  I  see  it  shine 
With  grace  and  glories  more  divine, 

Proclaiming  sins  forgiven ; 

n*  149 


179  THANKSGIVING. 

There  faith,  bright  cherub,  points  the  way 
To  realms  of  everlasting  day, 
And  opens  all  her  heaven. 

5  Then  let  the  love  that  makes  me  blest, 
With  cheerful  praise  inspire  my  breast, 

And  ardent  gratitude ; 
And  all  my  thoughts  and  passions  tend 
To  thee,  my  Father  and  my  Friend, 

My  soul's  eternal  Good. 

179  L.  M.  Watts. 

Blessings  of  Providence  and  Redemption. 

1  Bless,  O  my  soul,  the  living  God, 

Call  home  thy  thoughts  that  rove  abroad  : 
Let  all  the  powers  within  me  join 
In  work  and  worship  so  divine. 

2  Bless,  O  my  soul,  the  God  of  grace, 
His  favors  claim  thy  highest  praise ; 
Let  not  the  wonders  he  hath  wrought 
Be  lost  in  silence  and  forgot. 

3  Our  youth  decayed,  his  power  repairs, 
His  mercy  crowns  our  growing  years, 
He  satisfies  our  mouths  with  good, 
And  fills  our  hopes  with  heavenly  food. 

4  The  vices  of  the  mind  he  heals, 

And  soothes  the  pains  which  nature  feels, 
Redeems  our  souls  from  death,  and  saves 
Our  wasting  lives  from  threat' ning  graves. 

5  He  sees  the  oppressor  and  the  opprest, 
And  often  gives  the  suff 'rer  rest ; 

150 


THANKSGIVING.  180 

But  will  liis  justice  more  display 
In  the  last  great  rewarding  day. 

6  His  power  he  showed  by  Moses'  hands, 
And  gave  to  Israel  his  commands ; 
But  sent  his  truth  and  mercy  down 
To  all  the  nations  by  his  Son. 

7  Let  the  whole  earth  his  power  confess  ; 
Let  the  whole  earth  adore  his  grace ; 
The  Gentile  with  the  Jew  shall  join 
In  work  and  worship  so  divine. 

ISO  S*  M'  Watts, 

The  same  subject, 

1  O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul, 
Let  all  within  me  join, 

And  aid  my  tongue  to  bless  his  name 
Whose  favors  are  divine. 

2  O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul, 
Nor  let  his  mercies  lie 

Forgotten  in  unthankfulness, 
And  without  praises  die. 

3  'Tis  he  forgives  thy  sins, 
'Tis  he  relieves  thy  pain, 

'Tis  he  that  heals  thy  sicknesses, 
And  gives  thee  strength  again. 

4  He  crowns  thy  life  with  love, 
When  rescued  from  the  grave ; 

He  that  redeemed  our  souls  from  death, 
Hath  boundless  power  to  save. 

151 


181  THANKSGIVING. 

5  He  fills  the  poor  with  good, 
He  gives  the  sufferer  rest ; 

The  Lord  hath  justice  for  the  proud, 
And  mercy  for  the  opprest. 

6  His  wondrous  works  and  ways 
He  made  by  Moses  known ; 

But  sent  the  world  his  truth  and  grace 
By  his  beloved  Son. 


181  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Praise  for  the  Divine  Goodness. 

1  Awake,  my  soul,  awake,  my  tongue, 
My  God  demands  the  grateful  song ; 
Let  all  my  nobler  powers  record 
The  wondrous  mercy  of  the  Lord.  * 

2  Divinely  free  his  mercy  flows, 
Forgives  my  crimes,  allays  my  woes ; 
He  bids  approaching  death  remove, 
And  crowns  me  with  indulgent  love. 

3  He  fills  my  longing  soul  with  good. 
Substantial  bliss,  immortal  food, 
Youth  smiles  renewed  in  active  prime, 
And  triumphs  o'er  the  power  of  time. 

4  In  him  the  poor  opprest  shall  find 
A  Friend  almighty,  just  and  kind ; 
His  glorious  acts,  his  wondrous  ways, 
To  all  the  world  proclaim  his  praise. 

152 


THANKSGIVING.  182 

Jgg>  L.  M.  Watts. 

Blessings  of  Providence  and  Redemption. 

1  Give  to  our  God  immortal  praise ; 
Mercy  and  truth,  are  all  his  ways ; 
Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong  ; 
Repeat  his  mercies  in  your  song. 

2  Give  to  the  Lord  of  lords  renown, 
The  King  of  kings  with  glory  crown ; 
His  mercies  ever  shall  endure 

When  lords  and  kings  are  known  no  more. 

3  He  built  the  earth,  he  spread  the  sky, 
And  fixed  the  starry  lights  on  high ; 
Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong  ; 
Repeat  his  mercies  in  your  song. 

4  He  fills  the  sun  with  morning  light. 
He  bids  the  moon  direct  the  night ; 
His  mercies  ever  shall  endure 

When  sun  and  moon  shall  shine  no  more, 

5  He  sent  his  Son  with  power  to  save 
From  guilt  and  darkness  and  the  grave ; 
Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong  ; 
Repeat  his  mercies  in  your  song. 

6  Through  this  vain  world  he  guides  our  feet, 
And  leads  us  to  his  heavenly  seat ; 

His  mercies  ever  shall  endure 

When  this  vain  world  shall  be  no  more. 

153 


183  THANKSGIVING. 

1§3  P.  M.  Watts* 

The  same  subject. 

1  Give  thanks  to  God  most  high, 
The  universal  Lord, 

The  sovereign  King  of  kings, 
And  be  his  grace  adored. 

His  power  and  grace 

Are  still  the  same; 

And  let  his  name 

Have  endless  praise. 

2  How  mighty  is  his  hand  ! 
What  wonders  hath  he  done  ! 
He  formed  the  earth  and  seas, 
And  spread  the  heavens  alone. 

Thy  mercy,  Lord, 
Shall  still  endure, 
And  ever  sure 
Abides  thy  word. 

3  His  wisdom  framed  the  sun, 
To  crown  the  day  with  light ; 
The  moon  and  twinkling  stars, 
To  cheer  the  darksome  night. 

His  power  and  grace 
Are  still  the  same ; 
And  let  his  name 
Have  endless  praise. 

4  He  sent  his  only  Son 

To  save  us  from  our  woe, 

154 


THANKSGIVING.  184,   185 

From  error,  sin  and  death, 
And  every  hurtful  foe. 

Thy  mercy,  Lord, 

Shall  still  endure, 

And  ever  sure 

Abides  thy  word. 

IgzJ  C.  M.  Berridge. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Thy  goodness,  Lord,  our  souls  confess, 

Thy  goodness  we  adore ; 
A  spring  whose  blessings  never  fail, 
A  sea  without  a  shore. 

2  Sun,  moon  and  stars  thy  love  attest 

In  every  golden  ray ; 
Love  draws  the  curtains  of  the  night, 
And  love  returns  the  day. 

3  Thy  bounty  every  season  crowns 

With  all  the  bliss  it  yields ; 
With  joyful  clusters  loads  the  vine, 
With  strengthening  grain  the  fields. 

4  But  chiefly  thy  compassions,  Lord, 

Are  in  the  gospel  seen ; 
There,  like  the  sun,  thy  mercy  shines, 
Without  a  cloud  between. 

185  C.  M.  Watts. 

Assistance  and  Victory  in  the  Spiritual  Warfare. 

1  For  ever  blessed  be  the  Lord, 
My  Saviour  and  my  Shield, 

155 


186  THANKSGIVING. 

He  sends  his  spirit  with  his  word 
To  arm  me  for  the  field. 

2  When  all  my  foes  their  force  unite, 

He  makes  my  soul  his  care, 
Instructs  me  to  the  heavenly  fight, 
And  guards  me  through  the  war. 

3  A  friend  and  helper  so  divine 

Does  my  weak  courage  raise ; 
He  makes  the  glorious  victory  mine. 
And  his  shall  be  the  praise. 

Igg  S.  M.  Watts. 

Praise  for  Salvation. 

1  To  God  the  only  wise, 
Our  Saviour  and  our  King, 

O  let  us  all  with  joyful  hearts 
Our  humble  praises  sing. 

2  'Tis  his  almighty  love, 
His  counsel  and  his  care, 

Preserve  us  safe  from  sin  and  death 
And  every  hurtful  snare. 

3  He  will  present  us  pure, 
Unblemished  and  complete, 

Before  the  glory  of  his  face, 
With  joys  divinely  great. 

4  Then  all  his  faithful  sons 
Shall  meet  around  the  throne, 

Shall  bless  the  conduct  of  his  grace. 
And  make  his  wonders  known. 

156 


THANKSGIVING.  187 

To  God  the  only  wise 
All  majesty  belongs ; 
And  be  his  power  and  grace  adored 
In  everlasting  songs. 


Igy  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Light  and  Deliverance. 

1  The  weary  traveller  lost  in  night 

Breathes  many  a  longing  sigh, 
And  marks  the  welcome  dawn  of  light 
With  rapture  in  his  eye. 

2  Thus  sweet  the  dawn  of  heavenly  day 

Lost  weary  sinners  find, 
When  mercy  with  reviving  ray 
Beams  o'er  the  fainting  mind. 

3  To  slaves  opprest  with  cruel  chains 

How  kind,  how  dear  the  friend 
Whose  generous  hand  relieves  their  pains, 
And  bids  their  sorrows  end ! 

4  Thus  kind,  thus  dear,  that  friend  divine, 

Who  rescues  captive  souls, 
Unbinds  the  galling  chains  of  sin, 
And  all  its  power  controls. 

5  My  God,  to  thy  revealed  light 

My  dawn  of  hope  I  owe ; 
Once  wandering  in  the  shades  of  night 
And  sunk  in  hopeless  woe. 

O  157 


187  THANKSGIVING. 

6  'Twas  thy  blest  hand  redeemed  the  slave. 
And  set  the  prisoner  free  : 
Be  all  I  am  and  all  I  have 
Devoted,  Lord,  to  thee. 


PART   VII. 

DIVINE    REVELATION. 


_!§§  S.  M.  Watts 

The  Book  of  Nature  and  Scripture. 

Behold,  the  lofty  sky 
Declares  its  Maker  God, 
And  all  his  starry  works  on  high 
Proclaim  his  power  abroad. 

The  darkness  and  the  light 
Still  keep  their  course  the  same ; 
While  night  to  day,  and  day  to  night. 
Divinely  teach  his  name. 

In  every  different  land 
Their  general  voice  is  known  ; 
They  show  the  wonders  of  his  hand. 
And  orders  of  his  throne. 

Ye  Christian  lands,  rejoice. 
Here  he  reveals  his  word  : 
We  are  not  left  to  nature's  voice 
To  bid  us  know  the  Lord. 

His  statutes  and  commands 
Are  set  before  our  eyes ; 
He  puts  his  gospel  in  our  hands. 
Where  our  salvation  lies. 

159 


189  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

6       His  laws  are  just  and  pure, 
His  truth  without  deceit, 
His  promises  for  ever  sure, 
And  his  rewards  are  great. 

189  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Works  and  Word  of  God. 

1  The  heavens  declare  thy  glory,  Lord, 
In  every  star  thy  wisdom  shines ; 
But  when  our  eyes  behold  thy  word, 
We  read  thy  name  in  fairer  lines. 

2  The  rolling  sun,  the  changing  light, 
And  nights  and  days  thy  power  confess ; 
But  the  blest  volume  thou  hast  writ, 
Reveals  thy  justice  and  thy  grace. 

3  Sun,  moon  and  stars  convey  thy  praise 
Round  the  whole  earth,  and  never  stand ; 
So  when  thy  truth  began  its  race, 

It  touched  and  glanced  on  every  land. 

4  Nor  shall  thy  spreading  gospel  rest, 
Till  through  the  world  thy  truth  has  run, 
Till  Christ  has  all  the  nations  blest 
That  see  the  light  or  feel  the  sun. 

5  Father  of  lights,  in  glory  rise, 

Bless  the  dark  world  with  heavenly  light ; 
Thy  gospel  makes  the  simple  wise, 
Thy  laws  are  pure,  thy  judgments  right. 

6  Thy  noblest  wonders  here  we  view 
In  souls  renewed  and  sins  forgiven : 

160 


DIVINE  REVELATION,  190 


Lord,  cleanse  my  sins,  my  soul  renew, 
And  make  thy  word  my  guide  to  heaven. 


JQQ  P.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Great    God,    the    heavens'    well-ordered 

frame 
Declares  the  glories  of  thy  name ; 

There  thy  rich  works  of  wonder  shine ; 
A  thousand  starry  beauties  there, 
A  thousand  radiant  marks  appear, 

Of  boundless  power  and  skill  divine.  - 

2  From  night  to  day,  from  day  to  night, 
The  dawning  and  the  dying  light, 

Lectures  of  heavenly  wisdom  read  ; 
With  silent  eloquence  they  raise 
Our  thoughts  to  the  Creator's  praise, 

And  neither  sound  nor  language  need. 

3  Yet  their  divine  instructions  run 
Far  as  the  journeys  of  the  sun, 

And  distant  nations  know  their  voice ; 
The  sun  in  robes  of  splendor  drest, 
Breaks  from  the  chambers  of  the  east, 

Moves  round  and  bids  the  earth  rejoice. 

4  Where'er  he  spreads  his  beams  abroad 
He  speaks  the  majesty  of  God  : 

All  nature  joins  to  show  thy  praise, 

o*  161 


191  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

Thus  God  in  every  creature  shines : 
Fair  are  the  book  of  nature's  lines, 
But  fairer  is  the  book  of  grace. 


191  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Advantages  of  Divine  Revelation. 

1  When  Israel  through  the  desert  passed, 
A  fiery  pillar  went  before 

To  guide  them  through  the  dreary  waste 
And  lessen  the  fatigues  they  bore. 

2  Such  is  the  glorious  word  of  God ; 
'Tis  for  our  light  and  guidance  given ; 
It  sheds  a  lustre  all  abroad, 

And  points  the  path  to  bliss  and  heaven. 

3  It  fills  the  soul  with  sweet  delight, 
And  quickens  its  inactive  powers ; 

It  sets  our  wandering  footsteps  right, 
Displays  his  love  and  kindles  ours. 

4  Its  promises  rejoice  our  hearts ; 
Its  doctrines  are  divinely  true ; 
Knowledge  and  pleasure  it  imparts ; 
It  comforts  and  instructs  us  too. 

5  Ye  favored  lands,  blest  with  this  word. 
All  ye  who  feel  its  saving  power, 
Unite  your  tongues  to  praise  the  Lord, 
And  his  distinguished  grace  adore. 

162 


DIVINE  REVELATION.  192,  193 

192  C.  M,  Watts. 

Excellence  of  Scripture. 

1  The  starry  heavens  thy  rule  obey, 

The  earth  maintains  her  place ; 
And  these  thy  servants  night  and  day 
Thy  skill  and  power  express. 

2  But  still  thy  law  and  gospel,  Lord, 

Have  lessons  more  divine ; 
Not  earth  stands  firmer  than  thy  word, 
Nor  stars  so  nobly  shine. 

3  Let  all  the  heathen  writers  join 

To  form  one  perfect  book  : 
Great  God,  if  once  compared  with  thine, 
How  mean  their  writings  look ! 

4  Not  the  most  perfect  rules  they  gave, 

Could  show  one  sin  forgiven, 

Nor  lead  a  step  beyond  the  grave ; 

But  thine  conduct  to  heaven. 

5  Thy  word  is  everlasting  truth ; 

How  pure  is  every  page  ! 
That  holy  book  shall  guide  our  youth, 
And  well  support  our  age. 

193  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 
The  Excellency  of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

1  Father  of  mercies,  in  thy  word 
What  endless  glory  shines  ! 
Forever  be  thy  name  adored 
For  these  celestial  lines. 

163 


194  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

2  Here  may  the  wretched  sons  of  want 

Exhaustless  riches  find ; 
Riches  above  what  earth  can  grant, 
And  lasting  as  the  mind. 

3  Here  the  fair  tree  of  knowledge  grows, 

And  yields  a  free  repast; 
Sublimer  sweets  than  nature  knows. 
Invite  the  longing  taste. 

4  Here  springs  of  consolation  rise 

To  cheer  the  fainting  mind ; 
And  thirsty  souls  receive  supplies, 
And  sweet  refreshment  find. 

5  'Tis  here  the  Saviour's  welcome  voice 

Spreads  heavenly  peace  around ; 
And  life  and  everlasting  joys 
Attend  the  blissful  sound. 

6  O  may  these  heavenly  pages  be 

My  ever  dear  delight ; 
And  still  new  beauties  may  I  see, 
And  still  increasing  light. 

1Q4L  C*  M-  Doddridge. 

Perfection  of  God's  Law. 

1  Perfection  !  'tis  an  empty  name, 

Nor  can  repay  our  cares ; 
And  he  that  seeks  it  here  below 
Must  end  the  search  with  tears. 

2  Great  David  on  his  royal  throne, 

The  beauteous  and  the  strong, 

164 


DIVINE  REVELATION.  195 

Rich  in  the  spoils  of  conquered  foes. 
Amidst  the  applauding  throng, 

3  With  all  his  mind's  capacious  powers 

Pursued  the  shade  in  vain, 
Not  heard  in  his  melodious  voice 
Or  harp's  angelic  strain. 

4  From  public  to  domestic  scenes 

The  impatient  monarch  turns ; 
The  friend,  the  husband  and  the  sire 
In  sad  succession  mourns. 

5  At  length  thy  law,  eternal  God, 

He  through  his  tears  descries, 
And  wrapt  amidst  those  sacred  folds 
He  finds  the  heavenly  prize. 

6  There  will  I  seek  perfection  too, 

Where  David's  God  is  known ; 
Nor  envy,  with  this  volume  blest, 
His  treasures  and  his  throne. 

195  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Consolation  of  Scripture. 

1  Lord,  I  have  made  thy  word  my  choice, 

My  lasting  heritage ; 
There  shall  my  noblest  powers  rejoice, 
My  warmest  thoughts  engage. 

2  I'll  read  the  histories  of  thy  love, 

And  keep  thy  laws  in  sight, 
While  through  the  promises  I  rove 
With  ever  fresh  delight. 

165 


196  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

3  'Tis  a  broad  land  of  wealth  unknown, 

Where  springs  of  life  arise, 
Seeds  of  immortal  bliss  are  sown, 
And  hidden  glory  lies. 

4  The  best  relief  that  mourners  have, 

It  makes  our  sorrows  blest ; 
Our  fairest  hope  beyond  the  grave, 
And  our  eternal  rest. 


J*>(!  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  volume  of  my  Father's  grace 

Does  all  my  grief  assuage ; 
His  cheering  promises  I  trace 
Almost  in  every  page. 

2  This  is  the  field  where  hidden  lies 

The  pearl  of  price  unknown ; 
The  merchant  is  divinely  wise 
Who  makes  that  pearl  his  own. 

3  This  is  the  judge  that  ends  the  strife 

Where  wit  and  reason  fail ; 
My  guide  to  everlasting  life 
Through  all  this  gloomy  vale. 

4  O  may  thy  counsels,  mighty  God, 

My  roving  feet  command ; 
Nor  I  forsake  the  happy  road 
That  leads  to  thy  right  hand. 

166 


DIVINE  REVELATION.  197,   198 

197  C.  M.  Watts. 

Instruction  to  the  Young  from  Scripture. 

1  How  shall  the  young  secure  their  hearts, 

And  guard  their  lives  from  sin  ? 
Thy  word  the  choicest  rules  imparts 
To  keep  the  conscience  clean. 

2  When  once  it  enters  to  the  mind, 

It  spreads  such  light  abroad, 
The  meanest  souls  instruction  find, 
And  raise  their  thoughts  to  God. 

3  'Tis  like  the  sun,  a  heavenly  light, 

That  guides  us  all  the  day ; 
And  through  the  dangers  of  the  night 
A  lamp  to  lead  our  way. 

198  C.  M.  Doddridge. 
The  Perfect  Law  of  Liberty. 

1  Behold  that  wise,  that  perfect  law, 

Which  noblest  freedom  gives ; 
O  may  it  all  our  souls  refine, 
And  sanctify  our  lives ! 

2  Not  with  a  transient  glance  surveyed, 

And  in  an  hour  forgot, 
But  deep  inscribed  on  every  heart, 
To  reign  o'er  every  thought. 

3  Great  Author  of  each  perfect  gift, 

Thy  gracious  power  display, 
That  our  ungrateful,  wandering  hearts 
May  hearken  and  obey. 

167 


199,  200  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

199  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Light  and  Comfort  from  the  Scriptures, 

1  To  God,  its  Source,  my  soul  aspires ; 
Come,  Lord,  and  fill  my  vast  desires ; 
Be  thou  my  portion ;  here  I  rest, 
Since  of  my  utmost  wish  possest. 

2  O  let  thy  sacred  word  impart 

Its  gen'rous  influence  to  my  heart; 
With  power  and  light  and  love  divine, 
Assure  my  soul  that  thou  art  mine. 

3  The  blissful  word,  with  joy  replete, 
Shall  bid  my  gloomy  fears  retreat ; 
And  heaven-born  hope,  serenely  bright, 
Shine  cheerful  through  this  mortal  night. 

4  Then  shall  my  joyful  spirit  rise 
On  wings  of  faith  above  the  skies ; 

And  when  these  transient  scenes  are  o'er, 
And  this  vain  world  shall  tempt  no  more, 

5  O  may  I  reach  the  blissful  plains 
Where  thy  unclouded  glory  reigns, 
And  dwell  for  ever  near  thy  throne, 
In  joys  to  mortal  thought  unknown. 

200  k.  M.  Doddridge. 

Scripture  Teachings,  and  their  Happy  Consequences. 

1  Bright  Source  of  intellectual  rays, 
Father  of  spirits  and  of  grace, 
O  dart  with  energy  unknown 
Celestial  beamings  from  thy  throne. 

168 


DIVINE  REVELATION.  201 

2  Thy  sacred  book  we  would  survey, 
Enlightened  with  that  heavenly  day, 
And  seek  thine  influence  with  the  word 
To  teach  our  souls  to  know  the  Lord. 

3  So  shall  our  children  learn  the  road 
That  leads  them  to  their  fathers'  God, 
And  formed  by  lessons  so  divine, 

Shall  infant  minds  with  knowledge  shine. 

4  So  shall  the  haughtiest  soul  submit 
With  children  placed  at  Jesus'  feet ; 
The  noisy  swell  of  pride  shall  cease, 
And  thy  sweet  voice  be  heard  in  peace. 

201  C*  M'  COWPER. 

The  Light  and  Glory  of  the  World. 

1  What  glory  gilds  the  sacred  page, 

Majestic  like  the  sun ! 
It  gives  a  light  to  every  age, 
It  gives,  but  borrows  none. 

2  The  hand  that  gave  it  still  supplies 

His  gracious  light  and  heat ; 
His  truths  upon  the  nations  rise, 
They  rise,  but  never  set. 

3  Let  everlasting  thanks  be  thine 

For  such  a  bright  display 
As  makes  a  world  of  darkness  shine 
With  beams  of  heavenly  day. 

4  My  soul  rejoices  to  pursue 

The  paths  of  truth  and  love, 

P  169 


202,  203  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

Till  glory  break  upon  my  view 
In  brighter  worlds  above. 

202  C-  M-  Watts. 

Delight  in  Scripture. 

1  O  how  I  love  thy  holy  law ! 

'Tis  daily  my  delight, 
And  thence,  my  meditations  draw 
Divine  advice  by  night. 

2  How  doth  thy  word  my  heart  engage  ! 

How  well  employ  my  tongue, 
And  in  my  tiresome  pilgrimage 
Yield  me  a  heavenly  song  ! 

3  Am  I  a  stranger  or  at  home 

'Tis  a  divine  repast; 
Not  honey  dropping  from  the  comb 
So  much  allures  the  taste. 

4  No  treasures  so  enrich  the  mind, 

Nor  shall  thy  word  be  sold 

For  loads  of  silver  well  refined, 

Nor  heaps  of  choicest  gold. 

5  When  nature  sinks  and  spirits  droop, 

Thy  promises  of  grace 
Are  pillars  to  support  my  hope ; 
And  there  I  write  thy  praise. 

203  c-  m. 

Reason  a  Divine  Gift. 

1  What  heavenly  wisdom  has  bestowed, 
O  let  not  man  despise ; 

170 


DIVINE  REVELATION.  204 

Reason's  a  gift  our  praise  demands ; 
It  lifts  us  to  the  skies. 

2  How  could  we  know  or  value  truth 

Without  this  beam  of  light  ?  «- 
Or  conscience  feel  of  right  and  wrong, 
Or  in  God's  praise  delight? 

3  For  Teason  and  for  conscience  too 

Accept  our  praise,  O  Lord, 
May  this  be  pure,  and  that  be  clear, 
And  both  embrace  thy  word. 

204  s- M-  Sc0TT- 

The  Right  and  Duty  of  Private  Judgment, 

1  Imposture  shrinks  from  light 
And  dreads  the  curious  eye,  - 

But  sacred  truths  the  test  invite, 
They  bid  us  search  and  try. 

2  O  may  we  still  maintain 
A  meek  inquiring  mind, 

Assured  we  shall  not  search  in  vain, 
But  hidden  treasures  find. 

3  With  understanding  blest, 
Created  to  be  free, 

Our  faith  on  man  we  dare  not  rest, 
Subject  to  none  but  thee. 

4  Lord,  give  the  light  we  need ; 
With  soundest  knowledge  fill ; 

From  noxious  error  guard  our  creed, 
From  prejudice  our  will. 

171 


205  DIVINE  REVELATION. 

205  L-  M*  Merrick. 

Religion  without  Superstition. 

1  Far  hence  each  superstition  vain, 
Wild  offspring  of  the  human  brain ; 
The  truths  that  fill  thy  hallowed  page 
My  happier  choice,  great  God,  engage. 

2  O  ever  faithful  to  thy  word, 

Do  thou  thy  vital  strength  afford ; 
Thy  help  impart,  Eternal  Sire, 
Nor  let  my  hope  in  shame  expire. 

3  Sustained  by  thy  almighty  aid. 
What  danger  shall  my  soul  invade  1 
Nor  errors  cloud,  nor  arts  of  sin 
My  soul  from  thy  obedience  win. 


PART    VIII. 

CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 


206  S.  M,  Watts. 

The  Excellency  of  the  Gospel. 

1  Behold,  the  morning  sun 
Begins  his  glorious  way ; 

His  beams  through  all  the  nations  run, 
And  life  and  light  convey. 

2  But  where  the  gospel  comes 
It  spreads  diviner. light, 

It  calls  dead  sinners  from  their  tombs, 
And  gives  the  blind  their  sight. 

3  How  perfect  is  thy  word  ! 
And  all  thy  judgments  just ; 

For  ever  sure  thy  promise,  Lord, 
And  men  securely  trust. 

4  My  gracious  God,  how  plain 
Are  thy  directions  given ! 

O  may  I  never  read  in  vain, 
But  find  the  path  to  heaven ! 

5  While  with  my  heart  and  tongue 
I  spread  thy  praise  abroad, 

Accept  the  worship  and  the  song, 
My  Father  and  my  God. 

p*  173 


207  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

207  P-  M-  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  I  love  the  volumes  of  thy  word : 
What  light  and  joy  those  leaves  afford 

To  souls  benighted  and  distrest ! 
Thy  precepts  guide  my  doubtful  way, 
Thy  fear  forbids  my  feet  to  stray, 

Thy  promise  leads  my  heart  to  rest. 

2  From  the  discoveries  of  thy  law 
The  perfect  rules  of  life  I  draw ; 

These  are  my  study  and  delight ; 
Not  honey  so  invites  the  taste, 
Nor  gold  that  hath  the  furnace  past 

Appears  so  pleasing  to  the  sight. 

3  Thy  threatenings  wake  my  slumbering  eyes, 
And  warn  me  where  my  danger  lies ; 

But  'tis  thy  blessed  gospel,  Lord, 
That  makes  my  guilty  conscience  clean, 
Converts  my  soul,  subdues  my  sin, 

And  gives  a  free  but  large  reward. 

4  Who  knows  the  errors  of  his  thoughts  ? 
My  God,  forgive  my  secret  faults, 

And  from  presumptuous  sins  restrain ; 
Accept  my  poor  attempts  of  praise, 
That  I  have  read  thy  book  of  grace. 

And  book  of  nature  not  in  vain. 

174 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.       208,  209 

208  L*  M*  Watts. 

The  Excellency  of  the  Christian  Religion. 

1  Great  God,  how  well  thy  truths  agree  ! 
How  wise  and  holy  thy  commands ! 
Thy  promises,  _how  sure  they  be  ! 
How  firm  our  hope  and  comfort  stands ! 

2  Though  we  should  trace  the  globe  around, 
And  every  different  system  scan, 

There  will  be  no  religion  found 
So  just  to  God,  so  safe  to  man. 

3  The  various  forms  that  men  devise 

To  shake  my  faith  with  treacherous  art, 

I  scorn  as  vanity  and  lies, 

And  bind  the  gospel  to  my  heart. 

209  C*  M'  Watts. 
Praise  for  the  Gospel. 

1  To  our  Almighty  Maker,  God, 

New  honors  be  addrest ; 
His  great  salvation  shines  abroad, 
And  makes  the  nations  blest. 

2  He  spake  the  word  to  Abraham  first ; 

His  truth  fulfils  the  grace ; 
The  Gentiles  make  his  name  their  trust 
And  learn  his  righteouseess. 

3  Let  the  whole  earth  his  love  proclaim 

With  all  her  different  tongues, 
And  spread  the  honors  of  his  name 
In  melody  and  songs. 

175 


210,  211        CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

210  P*  M-  Salisbury  Col. 

Praise  to  the  God  of  our  Salvation. 

1  Hail  the  God  of  our  salvation  ! 
Triumph  in  redeeming  love ; 
Let  us  with  glad  exultation 
Imitate  the  blest  above. 

2  Light  of  those  whose  dreary  dwelling 
Bordered  on  the  shades  of  death, 

He  hath,  by  his  grace  revealing, 
Scattered  all  the  clouds  beneath. 

3  Father,  thou  art  all  compassion, 
Pure,  unbounded  love  thou  art; 
Hail  the  God  of  our  salvation  ! 
Praise  him  every  thankful  heart. 

4  Joyfully  on  earth  adore  him, 
Till  in  heaven  we  take  our  place ; 
There  enraptured  fall  before  him, 
Lost  in  wonder,  love  and  praise. 


21  L-  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Christian  Scheme  of  Salvation  worthy  of  God. 

1  Immortal  God,  on  thee  we  call, 
The  Great  Original  of  all ; 

From  thee  we  are,  to  thee  we  tend, 
Our  sure  support,  our  glorious  end. 

2  We  praise  that  wise,  that  wondrous  grace 
That  pitied  our  revolted  race, 

176 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  212 

And  Jesus,  our  victorious  head, 
The  captain  of  salvation  made. 

3  He  thine  eternal  love  decreed 
Should  many  sons  to  glory  lead ; 
And  sinful  worms  to  him  are  given 
A  colony  to  people  heaven. 

4  Jesus  for  us  (0  gracious  name  ! ) 
Encountered  agony  and  shame ; 
Jesus,  the  glorious  and  the  great, 
Was  by  his  sufferings  made  complete. 

5  A  scene  of  wonders  here  we  see, 
Worthy  thy  Son,  and  worthy  Thee ; 

And  while  this  theme  employs  our  tongues, 
All  heaven  unites  its  sweetest  songs. 

212  C.  Me  Watts. 

The  Blessings  of  the  Gospel. 

1  Blest  are  the  souls  that  hear  and  know 

The  gospel's  joyful  sound ; 
Peace  shall  attend  the  path  they  go, 
And  light  their  steps  surround. 

2  Their  joy  shall  bear  their  spirits  up 

Through  God's  eternal  name ; 
His  promises  exalt  their  hope, 
And  who  shall  dare  condemn  ? 

3  The  Lord,  our  glory  and  defence, 

Strength  and  salvation  gives; 
Israel,  thy  King  for  ever  reigns, 
Thy  God  for  ever  lives. 

177 


213,  214       CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 


213  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  How  beauteous  are  their  feet 
Who  stand  on  Zion's  hill !        # 

Who  bring  salvation  on  their  tongues, 
And  words  of  peace  reveal. 

2  How  charming  is  their  voice  ! 
How  sweet  the  tidings  are  ! 

"  Zion,  thy  King,  thy  God  appears, 
He  reigns  and  triumphs  here." 

3  How  happy  are  our  ears 
That  hear  the  joyful  sound, 

Which  kings  and  prophets  waited  for 
And  sought  but  never  found  ! 

4  How  blessed  are  our  eyes 
That  see  this  heavenly  light ! 

Prophets  and  kings  desired  it  long, 
But  died  without  the  sight. 

5  The  watchmen  join  their  voice, 
And  tuneful  notes  employ ; 

Far-distant  lands  break  forth  in  songs, 
And  deserts  learn  the  joy. 

214L  L.  M.  Mr.  J.  Taylor. 

The  Light  of  the  Gospel. 

1   O  how  delightful  is  the  road 

That  guides  us  to  thy  temple,  Lord  ! 
With  joy  we  visit  thine  abode, 
And  seek  the  treasures  of  thy  word. 

178 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.        215,  216 

0  heavenly  treasures,  glorious  light ! 
From  ancient  sages  long  concealed, 
Till  Christ  restored  the  feeble  sight 
And  God's  unchanging  word  revealed. 


215  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Birth  of  Christ. 

Behold,  the  grace  appears, 
The  blessing  promised  long ; 
Angels  announce  the  Saviour  near 
In  this  triumphant  song  : 

"  Glory  to  God  on  high, 
And  heavenly  peace  on  earth ; 
Good- will  to  men,  to  angels  joy, 
At  the  Redeemer's  birth." 

In  worship  so  divine 
Let  us  employ  our  tongues ; 
With  the  celestial  hosts  we  join. 
And  loud  repeat  their  songs  : 

Glory  to  God  on  high, 
And  heavenly  peace  on  earth ; 
Good-will  to  men,  to  angels  joy, 
At  our  Redeemer's  birth. 


21©  P.  M.  John  Taylor. 

Christmas  Hymn.     (Tune,  Adeste  Fideles.) 

1  Exulting,  rejoicing, hail  the  happy  morning, 
The  morn  of  the  day  when  our  Christ  was 
born ! 

179 


217  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

Angels  of  mercy,  who  his  birth  attended, 
O  bear  our  loud  hosannas  through  the  sky ! 
O  bear,  &c. 

2  Salvation  proclaiming  to  the  guilty  nations, 
He  comes  in  the  glory  and  power  of  God ; 
Angels  of  mercy,  who  his  steps  attended, 
O  bear  our  loud  hosannas  through  the  sky  ! 

O  bear,  &c. 

3  Devoted,  submissive,  on  the  cross  expiring, 
He  bows  to  the  will  of  his  Father,  God ; 
Angels  of  pity,  who  his  death  attended, 

O  bear  our  loud  hosannas  through  the  sky ! 
O  bear,  &c. 

21^  S.  M.  Needham. 

Birth  of  Christ, 

1  The  Prince  of  peace  is  come  ! 
Ye  nations  shout  and  sing ; 

Let  men  and  angels  join  their  songs 
To  hail  this  glorious  King. 

2  Light  of  the  world,  he  comes  ! 
The  blind  receive  their  sight ; 

The  mind  now  feels  his  gladdening  ray, 
And  all  within  is  light. 

3  Evangelist  divine, 

He  makes  the  gospel  known ; 
The  poor  the  joyful  tidings  hear, 
And  their  great  prophet  own. 


^i-iiu    wiuu    t±L\D(Jb\j    ijiv^jJixou  yjwii. 

Whilst,  gracious  God,  I  hear 
The  gospel's  joyful  sound, 

180 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  218 

May  my  glad  heart,  my  tongue,  my  life, 
Be  all  obedience  found. 


218  O.  M.  Needham. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Glory  to  God  on  high  be  given, 

For  peace  to  earth  is  brought ; 
Good-will  to  wretched,  dying  men, 
Surpassing  human  thought. 

2  The  time  foretold  by  heaven  is  come, 

The  year  of  Jubilee, 
The  day  which  kings  and  saints  so  long, 
So  much  desired  to  see. 

3  He's  come,  the  mighty  Saviour's  come, 

Hear,  and  rejoice,  thou  earth ; 
Let  every  tongue  the  globe  around, 
Hail  the  Redeemer's  birth. 

4  To  universal  empire  born, 

The  charge  he  well  sustains : 
Nations,  rejoice,  the  mighty  Lord, 
Your  king,  Messiah,  reigns. 

5  Glory  to  God  on  high  be  given, 

For  peace  to  earth  is  brought, 
Good-will  to  wretched,  dying  men, 
Surpassing  human  thought. 

Q  181 


219,  220       CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

219  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  To  those  who  fear  and  trust  the  Lord, 
His  mercy  stands  for  ever  sure ; 
From  age  to  age  his  promise  lives, 
And  the  performance  is  secure. 

2  He  spake  to  Abra'm  and  his  seed, 

In  thee  shall  all  the  earth  be  blessed ; 
The  memory  of  that  ancient  word 
Lay  long  in  his  eternal  breast. 

3  But  now  no  more  shall  Israel  wait, 
No  more  the  Gentiles  lie  forlorn, 
Lo,  the  desire  of  nations  comes, 
Behold,  the  promised  seed  is  born. 

220  L'  M*  Merrick. 

The  Promised  Messiah. 

1  Welcome  the  hope  of  Israel's  race, 
The  Messenger  of  truth  and  grace ; 
Your  hearts  in  righteousness  prepare ; 
Behold  your  wished  redemption  near. 

2  See  glory,  bursting  from  the  skies, 
O'er  Judah's  land  effulgent  rise ; 
And  fix  amidst  her  coasts  its  seat, 
Where  justice,  truth  and  'mercy  meet : 

3  While  faith  and  hope,  their  offspring  dear, 
Attendant  on  their  steps  appear, 

And  joined  in  friendly  compact  move, 
Blessed  with  philanthropy  and  love. 

182 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  221 

4  Truth  in  thy  lands.  O  earth,  shall  spring, 
And  righteousness  her  healing  wing 
Expanding,  downward  cast  her  eye, 
While  heaven's  great  Monarch  from  on  high 

5  The  heathen  gloom  shall  chase  away, 
And  usher  in  a  glorious  day  * 

And  from  his  own  propitious  will 
The  promised  grace  to  man  fulfil. 

221  C.  M.  John  Taylor. 

The  Mission  of  Christ. 

1  "  Prepare,"  the  appointed  herald  cried, 

"  The  Lord's  straight  path  prepare  ; 
Let  valleys  rise,  let  hills  subside, 
And  rugged  ways  grow  fair. 

* 

2  "  Then  shall  the  race  of  man  behold 

Salvation  from  on  high, 
Then  shall  the  Saviour  long  foretold 
Commence  his  ministry." 

3  Spotless  the  heaven-taught  teacher  stood, 

And  meekly  bowed  his  head, 
While  from  old  Jordan's  sacred  flood 
Baptismal  rites  were  shed, 

4  Now  spake  the  announcing  voice  of  heaven, 

While  bright  the  glory  shone  : 
"  To  you  the  Christ  of  God  is  given, 
Jehovah's  chosen  Son, 

5  "  Him  hear,  with  him  my  covenant  stands, 

With  power  I  him  invest, 

183 


222  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

I  place  my  sceptre  in  his  hands. 
My  truth  inspires  his  breast." 

222  C-  M-  Doddridge. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Hark,  the  glad  sound,  the  Saviour  comes, 

The  Saviour  promised  long ; 
Let  every  heart  a  throne  prepare, 
And  every  voice  a  song. 

2  On  him  the  spirit  largely  poured 

Exerts  its  holy  fire ; 
Wisdom  and  might  and  zeal  and  love 
His  sacred  breast  inspire. 

3  He  comes  the  prisoners  to  release 

In  wretched  bondage  held ; 
The  gates  of  brass  before  him  burst, 
The  iron  fetters  yield. 

4  He  comes  from  thickest  films  of  vice 

To  clear  the  mental  ray, 
And  on  the  eye-balls  of  the  blind 
To  pour  celestial  day. 

5  He  comes  the  broken  heart  to  bind. 

The  wounded  soul  to  cure, 
And  with  the  treasures  of  his  grace 
Enrich  the  humble  poor. 

6  Our  songs  of  joy  and  gratitude 

His  welcome  shall  proclaim ; 
Hail  to  the  Prince  of  peace,  who  comes 
In  God  our  Father's  name ! 

184 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.       223,  224 

223  C-  M-  Watts. 

The  same  subject, 

1  Sing  to  the  Lord,  ye  distant  lands, 

Ye  tribes  of  every  tongue ; 
His  new-discovered  grace  demands 
A  new  and  noble  song. 

2  Say  to  the  nations,  Jesus  came 

A  guilty  world  to  save ; 
From  vice  and  error  to  reclaim, 
And  rescue  from  the  grave. 

3  Let  heaven  proclaim  the  blissful  day, 

Joy  through  the  earth  be  seen ; 
Let  cities  shine  in  bright  array, 
And  fields  in  cheerful  green. 

4  With  pleasure  lift  your  wondering  eyes, 

Ye  islands  of  the  sea ; 
Ye  mountains,  sink,  ye  valleys,  rise, 
Prepare  the  Saviour's  way. 

5  Behold  he  comes,  he  comes  to  bless 

The  nations  from  their  God, 
To  show  the  world  his  righteousness, 
And  send  his  truth  abroad. 

224  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Coming  and  Kingdom  of  Christ. 

1  Joy  to  the  world,  the  Lord  is  come, 
The  long-predicted  king ; 
Let  every  heart  prepare  him  room, 
And  heaven  and  nature  sing. 

Q*  185 


225  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

2  Joy  to  the  earth,  the  Saviour  reigns ; 

Let  men  their  songs  employ; 
While  fields  and  floods,  rocks,  hills  and 
plains, 
Repeat  the  sounding  joy. 

3  No  more  let  sins  and  sorrows  grow, 

Nor  thorns  infest  the  ground ; 
He  comes  to  make  his  blessings  flow 
As  far  as  guilt  is  found. 

4  God  rules  the  world  with  truth  and  grace, 

And  makes  the  nations  prove 
The  glories  of  his  faithfulness, 
And  wonders  of  his  love. 

225  C-  M*  Edinburgh  Col. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Behold,  he  comes,  your  leader  comes 

With  might  and  honor  crowned, 
A  witness  who  shall  spread  my  name 
To  earth's  remotest  bound. 

2  The  beam  that  shines  from  Zion's  hill 

Shall  lighten  every  land ; 
The  king  who  reigns  in  Salem's  towers 
Shall  all  the  world  command. 

3  See,  nations  hasten  to  his  call 

From  every  distant  shore ; 
Isles  yet  unknown  shall  bowT  to  him 
And  Israel's  God  adore. 

4  Come,  then,  O  house  of  Jacob,  come, 

To  his  blest  law^s  incline, 

186 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.       226,  227 

Still  walking  in  the  light  of  God, 
With  holiness  divine. 

226  C'  M'  COWPER. 

.Christ  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

1  How  blest  thy  creature  is,  O  God, 

When  with  a  single  eye 
He  views  the  lustre  of  thy  word, 
The  day-spring  from  on  high  ! 

2  Through  all  the  storms  that  veil  the  skies, 

And  frown  on  earthly  things, 
The  sun  of  righteousness  he  eyes 
With  healing  on  his  wings. 

3  The  glorious  orb  whose  golden  beams 

The  fruitful  year  control, 
Since  first  obedient  to  thy  word 
He  started  from  the  goal, 

4  Has  cheered  the  nations  with  the  joys 

His  orient  rays  impart ; 
But  'tis  the  light  of  Christ  alone 
Can  shine  upon  the  heart. 

22^  L-  M-  Doddridge. 

The  same  subject. 

1  To  thee,  O  God,  we  homage  pay, 
Source  of  the  light  that  rules  the  day ; 
Who,  while  he  gilds  all  nature's  frame, 
Reflects  thy  rays  and  speaks  thy  name. 

2  In  louder  strains  we  sing  that  grace 
Which  gives  the  sun  of  righteousness, 

187 


228  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

Whose  nobler  light  salvation  brings 
And  scatters  healing  from  his  wings. 

3  Still  on  our  hearts  may  Jesus  shine 
With  beams  of  light  and  love  divine ; 
Quickened  by  him  our  souls  shall  live, 
And  cheered  by  him  shall  grow  and  thrive. 

4  .0  may  his  glories  stand  confessed 
From  north  to  south,  from  east  to  west ; 
Successful  may  "his  gospel  run 

Wide  as  the  circuit  of  the  sun. 

5  When  shall  that  radiant  scene  arise, 
When,  fixed  on  high,  in  purer  skies, 
Christ  all  his  lustre  shall  display 

On  all  his  saints  through  endless  day ! 

22g  S.  M.  Lindssy's  Col. 

Christ  the  Light  of  the  World. 

1  Behold,  the  Prince  of  peace, 
The  chosen  of  the  Lord ; 

God's  well-beloved  Son  fulfils 
The  sure  prophetic  word. 

2  No  royal  pomp  adorns 
This  king  of  righteousness, 

Meekness  and  patience,  truth  and  love 
Compose  his  princely  dress. 

3  The  spirit  of  the  Lord, 
In  rich  abundance  shed, 

On  this  great  prophet  gently  lights, 
And  rests  upon  his  head. 

188 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.       229,  230 

4  Jesus,  the  light  of  men, 
His  doctrine  life  imparts ; 

O  may  we  feel  its  quick'ning  power 
To  warm  and  glad  our  hearts. 

5  Cheered  by  its  beams,  our  souls 
Shall  run  the  heavenly  way ; 

The  path  which  Christ  hath  marked  and  trod 
Will  lead  to  endless  day. 

229  P.  M.  Wesley. 

The  Star  of  Jacob. 

1  Sons  of  men,  behold  him  far, 
Hail  the  long-expected  star ; 
Jacob's  star,  that  gilds  the  night, 
Guides  bewildered  nature  right. 

2  Fear  not  hence  that  ill  should  flow, 
Wars  or  pestilence  below ; 

Wars  it  bids  and  tumults  cease, 
Ushering  in  the  Prince  of  peace. 

3  Mild  he  shines  on  all  beneath, 
Piercing  through  the  shade  of  death ; 
Scattering  error's  wide-spread  night, 
Kindling  darkness  into  light. 

230  C*  M-  Watts. 
Light  and  Salvation  by  Jesus  Christ. 

1  Be  every  vale  exalted  high, 
Sink  every  mountain  low ; 
The  proud  must  stoop,  and  humble  souls 
Shall  God's  salvation  know. 

189 


231,  232       CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

2  The  heathen  realms  with  Israel's  land 

Shall  join  in  sweet  accord, 
And  all  that's  born  of  man  shall  see 
The  glory  of  the  Lord. 

3  Behold  the  morning  star  arise, 

Ye  that  in  darkness  sit ; 
He  marks  the  path  that  leads  to  peace, 
And  guides  onr  doubtful  feet. 

231  L.  M.  Watts. 

Salvation  by  Christ. 

1  Salvation  is  for  ever  nigh 

The  souls  that  fear  and  trust  the  Lord ; 
And  grace,  descending  from  on  high, 
Fresh  hopes  of  glory  shall  afford. 

2  Now  truth  and  honour  shall  abound, 
Religion  dwell  on  earth  again, 

And  heavenly  influence  bless  the  ground, 
In  our  Redeemer's  gentle  reign. 

232  P.  M.  Doddridge. 
Christ  the  Living  Stone. 

1  WiTH  ecstacy  of  joy 
Extol  his  glorious  name 
Who  reared  the  spacious  earth 
And  raised  our  mortal  frame ; 

He  built  the  church  who  spread  the  sky, 
Shout  and  exalt  his  honors  high. 

2  See  the  foundation  laid 
By  power  and  love  divine ; 

190 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  233 

In  Christ,  his  best-loved  Son, 

How  bright  his  glories  shine  ! 
Who  yields  to  death — in  dust  he  lies 
That  from  his  tomb  a  church  might  rise. 

But  he  for  ever  lives, 

Nor  for  himself  alone ; 

Each  saint  new  life  derives 

From  him  the  living  stone ; 
His  influence  spreads  through  every  soul,    , 
And  in  one  house  unites  the  whole. 

To  him  with  joy  we  move, 

In  him  cemented  stand, 

The  living  temple  grows 

And  owns  the  founder's  hand : 
That  structure,  Lord,  still  higher  raise, 
Louder  to  sound  its  Builder's  praise. 

Descend  and  shed  abroad 

The  tokens  of  thy  grace, 

And  with  more  radiant  beams 

Let  glory  fill  the  place. 
Our  joyful  souls  shall  prostrate  fall, 
And  own  our  God  is  all  in  all. 

233  L.  M.  Butcher. 

Miracles  of  Christ. 

What  works  of  wisdom,  power  and  love 
Do  Jesus'  high  commission  prove, 
Attest  his  heaven-derived  claim, 
And  glorify  his  Father's  name ! 

On  eyes  that  never  saw  the  day         yj 
He  pours  the  bright  celestial  ray, 

191 


234  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

And  deafened  ears,  by  him  unbound, 
Catch  all  the  harmony  of  sound. 

3  Lameness  takes  up  its  bed  and  goes 
Rejoicing  in  the  strength  that  flows 
Through  every  nerve,  and  free  from  pain. 
Pours  forth  to  God  the  grateful  strain. 

4  The  shattered  mind  his  word  restores, 
And  tunes  afresh  the  mental  powers ; 
The  dead  revive,  to  life  return, 

And  bid  affection  cease  to  mourn. 

5  Canst  thou,  my  soul,  these  wonders  trace, 
And  not  admire  Jehovah's  grace  ? 
Canst  thou  behold  thy  Prophet's  power, 
And  not  the  God  he  served  adore  ? 


23^.  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Example  of  Christ. 

1  And  is  the  gospel  peace  and  love  ? 
Such  let  our  conversation  be ; 
The  serpent  blended  with  the  dove, 
Wisdom  and  meek  simplicity. 

2  Whene'er  the  angry  passions  rise, 

And  tempt  our  thoughts  or  tongues  to  strife, 
On  Jesus  let  us  fix  our  eyes, 
Bright  pattern  of  the  Christian  life  ! 

3  O  how  benevolent  and  kind  ! 
How  mild,  how  ready  to  forgive  ! 

192 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  235 

Be  his  the  temper  of  our  mind, 
And  his  the  rules  by  which  we  live. 

4  To  do  his  heavenly  Father's  will 
Was  his  employment  and  delight ; 
Humility  and  holy  zeal 

Shone  through  his  life  divinely  bright. 

5  Dispensing  good  where'er  he  came, 
The  labors  of  his  life  were  love ; 

If  then  we  love  the  Saviour's  name, 
Let  his  divine  example  move. 

2f$5  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  God  of  my  mercy  and  my  praise, 

Thy  glory  is  my  song ; 
I'll  speak  the  honors  of  thy  grace 
With  a  rejoicing  tongue, 

2  When  Christ  among  the  sons  of  men 

In  humble  form  was  found, 
With  cruel  slanders  false  and  vain 
They  compass'd  him  around. 

3  Their  miseries  his  compassion  moved, 

Their  peace  he  still  pursued ; 
They  rendered  hatred  for  his  love, 
And  evil  for  his  good. 

4  Their  malice  raged  without  a  cause, 

Yet  with  his  dying  breath 
He  prayed  for  murd'rers  on  his  cross5 
And  blest  his  foes  in  death. 

R  193 


236,  237     christ  and  Christianity. 

5   O  may  his  conduct  all-divine 
To  me  a  model  prove ; 
Like  his,  O  God,  my  heart  incline 
My  enemies  to  love. 

236  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1   I  read  my  duty  in  the  word 
Of  my  Redeemer  and  my  Lord, 
But  in  his  life  the  law  appears 
Drawn  out  in  livings  characters. 


2  What  zeal  his  mission  to  fulfil ! 
What  deference  to  his  Father's  will ! 
His  love  and  meekness,  how  divine ! 

I  would  transcribe  and  make  them  mine. 

3  Cold  mountains  and  the  midnight  air 
Witnessed  the  fervor  of  his  prayer ; 
The  desert  his  temptations  knew, 
His  conflicts  and  his  victories  too. 

4  He  is  my  pattern ;  may  I  bear 
More  of  his  gracious  image  here, 
Then  shall  I  find  my  humble  name 
Among  the  followers  of  the  Lamb. 

237  C.  M.  Dr.  Enfield. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Behold  where,  in  a  mortal  form, 
Appears  each  grace  divine ; 
The  virtues,  all  in  Jesus  met, 
With  mildest  radiance  shine. 

194 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  238 

2  To  spread  the  rays  of  heavenly  light, 

To  give  the  mourner  joy, 
To  preach  glad  tidings  to  the  poor. 
Was  his  divine  employ. 

3  Lowly  in  heart,  to  all  his  friends 

A  friend  and  servant  found, 
He  washed  their  feet,  he  wiped  their  tears. 
And  healed  each  bleeding  wound. 

4  'Midst  keen  reproach  and  cruel  scorn. 

Patient  and  meek  he  stood ; 
His  foes  ungrateful  sought  his  life. 
He  labored  for  their  good. 

5  To  God  he  left  his  righteous  cause, 

And  still  his  task  pursued ; 
While  humble  prayer 'and  holy  faith 
His  fainting  strength  renewed. 

6  In  the  last  hour  of  deep  distress, 

Before  his  Father's  throne, 
With  soul  resigned  he  bowed,  and  said, 
"  Thy  will,  not  mine,  be  done  !" 

7  Be  Christ  our  pattern,  and  our  guide, 

His  image  may  we  bear ! 
O  may  we  tread  his  holy  steps, 
His  joy  and  glory  share  ! 

238  L"  M-  Doddridge, 

Christ's  Submission  to  his  Father's  Will. 

1   "  Father  divine,"  the  Saviour  cried, 
While  horrors  pressed  on  ev?ry  side, 

195 


239  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

And  prostrate  on  the  ground  he  lay. 
"  Remove  this  bitter  cup  away. 

2  "  But  if  these  pangs  must  still  be  borne, 
And  stripes  and  wounds  and  cruel  scorn, 
I  bow  my  soul  before  thy  throne, 

And  say — Thy  will,  not  mine,  be  done." 

3  Thus  our  submissive  souls  would  bow, 
And,  taught  by  Jesus,  lie  as  low ; 
Our  hearts,  and"  not  our  lips  alone 
Would  say — Thy  will,  not  ours,  be  done. 

4  Then,  though  like  him  in  dust  we  lie, 
We'll  view  the  blissful  moment  nigh, 
Which,  from  our  portion  in  his  pains. 
Calls  to  the  joy  in  which  he  reigns. 

289  c-m.    <  a. 

The  Glory  of  the  Man  Jesus. 

1  Welcome  the  hope  of  Israel's  race, 

Herald  of  love  divine  ! 
Jesus,  great  prophet,  in  whose  face 
Celestial  glories  shine. 

2  Offspring  of  David,  son  of  man, 

Brother  of  human  kind, 
First-born  of  the  prophetic  train, 
Ray  of  the  Father's  mind, 

3  Sun  of  the  mental  world,  he  shone 

With  beams  of  righteousness, 
Poured  forth  from  the  eternal  throne, 
The  fount  of  truth  and  grace. 

196 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  240 

4  Nor  heaven-descended  truth  and  grace 

Alone  his  glory  showed ; 
Virtue  illumined  all  his  days, 
His  life  with  virtue  glowed. 

5  In  the  sad  hour  of  nature's  dread, 

He  sought  his  Father's  throne ; 
Breathed  out  his  soul,  and  meekly  said, 
"  Thy  will,  O  God,  be  done." 

6  Lo,  king  of  terrors,  there  thy  prey  : 

But  see  heaven  swift  to  save, 
The  captive  spurns  captivity, 
The  conqueror  is  the  slave. 

7  No  more  the  man  of  griefs  and  cares ; 

Of  life  and  glory  Lord ; 
He  calls  his  brethren  fellow-heirs, 
Their  glory  his  reward. 

8  Time,  hasten  on  thy  chariot  wheels, 

Bring  victory  from  the  skies, 
Descend  the  everlasting  hills, 
Bid  prostrate  nations  rise. 

240  S-  M-  Doddridge. 

Attractive  Influence  of  a  Crucified  Saviour. 

1  Behold  the  amazing  sight, 
The  Saviour  lifted  high, 

Behold  the  Son  of  God's  delight 
Expire  in  agony. 

2  For  whom,  for  whom,  my  heart, 
Were  all  these  sorrows  borne  ? 

R*  197 


241  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

Why  did  he  feel  that  piercing  smart, 
And  meet  that  various  scorn  ? 

3  For  love  of  us  he  bled, 
And  all  in  torture  died ; 

'Twas  love  that  bowed  his  fainting  head 
And  oped  his  gushing  side. 

4  In  sympathy  of  love 

Let  all  the  earth  combine, 
And  drawn  by  cords  so  gentle,  prove 
The  energy  divine. 

5  In  him  our  hearts  unite, 
Nor  share  his  griefs  alone, 

But  from  his  cross  pursue  their  flight 
To  his  triumphant  throne. 

241  p- M- 

The  Death  and  Resurrection  of  Jesus. 

1  He  dies,  the  friend  of  sinners  dies ; 
Lo,  Salem's  daughters  weep  around, 
A  solemn  darkness  veils  the  skies, 

A  sudden  trembling  shakes  the  ground. 
Here's  love  and  grief  beyond  degree ; 
The  Lord  of  glory  dies  for  man ; 
But  lo,  what  sudden  joys  we  see, 
Jesus,  the  dead,  revives  again. 

2  Break  off  your  tears,  ye  saints,  and  tell 
How  high  our  great  deliverer  reigns ; 
Sing  how  he  spoiled  the  hosts  of  hell, 
And  led  the  monster  death  in  chains : 

198 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.        242,  243 

Say,  "  Live  for  ever,  wondrous  king, 
Born  to  redeem,  and  strong  to  save !" 
Then  ask  the  monster,  "  Where's  thy  sting? 
And  where's  thy  victory,  boasting  grave?" 

242  L-  M-  Watts, 

Christ  Glorified  in  his  Resurrection. 

1  Lo,  what  a  glorious  corner-stone 
The  Jewish  builders  did  neglect ! 

But  God  hath  built  his  church  thereon, 
Though  Jacob's  sons  that  stone  reject. 

2  Great  God,  the  work  is  all  divine, 
The  joy  and  wonder  of  our  eyes ; 
This  is  the  day  that  proves  it  thine, 
The  day  that  saw  our  Saviour  rise. 

3  Sinners  rejoice,  and  saints  be  glad  ; 
Hosanna  !  let  his  name  be  blest ; 

A  thousand  honors  on  his  head 

With  peace,  and  light,  and  glory  rest ! 

4  In  God's  own  name  he  comes  to  bring 
Salvation  to  our  dying  race ; 

Let  the  whole  church  revere  their  king, 
And  celebrate  his  Father's  grace. 

243  P-  M-  Wesleys, 

Resurrection  of  Christ. 

1  Christ,  the  Lord,  is  risen  to-day, 
Sons  of  men  and  angels  say ; 
Raise  your  joys  and  triumphs  high, 
Sing,  ye  heavens,  and  earth,  reply. 

199 


244  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

2  Love's  redeeming  work  is  done, 
Fought  the  fight,  the  battle  won  : 
Lo,  our  sun's  eclipse  is  o'er, 

Lo,  he  sets  in  blood  no  more. 

3  Vain  the  stone,  the  watch,  the  seal ; 
Christ  has  burst  the  gates  of  hell ; 
Death  in  vain  forbids  his  rise ; 
Christ  has  open'd  Paradise. 

4  Lives  again  our. glorious  king; 
Where,  O  death,  is  now  thy  sting  ? 
Dying  once  he  all  doth  save ; 
Where  thy  victory,  O  grave? 


*2i  I  p-  M-  Scott. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Angel,  roll  the  rock  away ; 

Hallelujah  ! 
Deaths  yield  up  thy  mighty  prey ; 
See,  he  rises  from  the  tomb, 
Glowing  in  immortal  bloom. 

2  'Tis  the  Saviour !  angels,  raise 
Fame's  eternal  trump  of  praise ; 
Let  the  world's  remotest  bound 
Hear  the  joy-inspiring  sound. 

3  Shout,  ye  saints,  in  rapturous  song. 
Let  the  strains  be  sweet  and  strong ; 
Shout  the  Son  of  God  this  morn 
From  his  sepulchre  new-born. 

200 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY,  245 

4  Hail,  victorious  Jesus,  hail ! 
On  thy  cloud  of  glory  sail 

In  long  triumph  through  the  sky, 
Up  to  waiting  worlds  on  high. 

5  Heaven  displays  her  portals  wide, 
Glorious  hero,  through  them  ride ; 
King  of  glory,  mount  the  throne, 
Thy  great  Father's  and  thine  own. 

6  Hosts  of  heaven,  seraphic  fires, 
Raptured  sweep  your  sounding  lyres ; 
Sons  of  men,  in  humbler  strain 
Sing  your  mighty  Saviour's  reign. 

7  Every  note  with  wonder  swell ; 
Sin  o'erthrown  and  captived  hell : 
Where  is  now,  O  death,  thy  sting  ? 
Where  thy  terrors,  vanquished  king  ? 

2z§-U  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

He  is  not  here,  but  is  risen. 

1  Ye  humble  souls  that  seek  the  Lord, 

Chase  all  your  fears  away, 
And  bow  with  pleasure  down  to  see 
The  place  where  Jesus  lay. 

2  Thus  low  the  Lord  of  life  was  brought, 

Such  wonders  love  can  do ; 
Thus  cold  in  death  that  bosom  lay 
Which  throbbed  and  bled  for  you. 

3  A  moment  give  a  loose  to  grief, 

Let  grateful  sorrows  rise, 

201 


246  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

And  wash  the  bloody  stains  away 
With  torrents  from  your  eyes. 

4  Then  dry  your  tears  and  tune  your  songs, 

The  Saviour  lives  again ; 
Not  all  the  bolts  and  bars  of  death 
The  conqueror  could  detain. 

5  High  o'er  the  angelic  bands  he  rears 

His  once  dishonored  head, 
And  through  unnumbered  years  he  reigns, 
Who  dwelt  among  the  dead. 

6  With  joy  like  his  shall  every  saint 

His  empty  tomb  survey; 
Then  rise  with  his  ascending  Lord 
Through  all  his  shining  way. 

24-0  k.  M.  Butcher. 

\The  Resurrection  of  Christ. 

1  Hosanna  !  let  us  join  to  sing 
The  glories  of  our  rising  king, 
Recount  his  victories  and  tell 
How  Jesus  triumphed  when  he  fell. 

2  Soon  as  the  morning's  earliest  ray 
Brings  on  the  third,  th'  appointed  day, 
Behold  the  angel  cleave  the  skies, 
Roll  back  the  stone,  and  Jesus  rise. 

3  With  strength  immortal  forth  he  comes, 
And  power  and  life  from  God  resumes ; 
The  days  of  pain  and  sorrow  past, 

His  triumph  shall  forever  last. 

202 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  247 

4  Ye  tribes  of  Adam,  raise  the  song, 
And  bid  angelic  harps  prolong 
The  triumphs  of  that  day  of  grace 
Which  sealed  salvation  to  our  race. 

5  Salvation  !  joy-inspiring  theme, 
Best  gift  of  him  who  reigns  supreme ; 
Sweet  balm  of  every  human  woe, 
And  source  of  boundless  joy  below. 

6  Salvation  !  sons  of  men,  record 
The  glories  of  your  rising  Lord ; 
The  triumphs  of  the  Saviour  tell, 
Who  died,  and  conquered  when  he  fell. 

247  s.  m. 

The  same  subject. 


Christians,  dismiss  your  fear, 
Let  hope  and  joy  succeed ; 
The  welcome  news  with  gladness  hear, 
The  Lord  is  ris'n  indeed. 

The  shades  of  death  withdrawn, 
His  eyes  their  beams  display  : 
So  wakes  the  sun  when  rosy  dawn 
Unbars  the  gates  of  day. 

Angelic  hosts  above 
The  rising  victor  sing, 
And  all  the  blissful  seats  of  love 
With  loud  hosannas  ring. 

Ye  pilgrims  too,  below, 
Your  hearts  and  voices  raise ; 

203 


248,  249     christ  and  Christianity. 

Let  every  breast  with  gladness  glow, 
And  every  mouth  be  praise. 

2  J-8  L-  M.  Edward  Taylor. 

Tlie  same  subject. 

1  Our  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead, 
Our  Jesus  is  gone  up  on  high ; 
The  powers  of  hell  are  captive  led, 
Dragg'd  to  the  portals  of  the  sky. 

2  There  his  triumphal  chariot  waits, 
And  angels  chant  their  solemn  lay, 

"  Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  heavenly  gates, 
Ye  everlasting  doors,  give  way." 

3  Loose  all  your  bars  of  massy  light, 
And  wide  unfold  th'  ethereal  scene ; 
He  bursts  the  bands  of  death  and  night, 
And  heav'n  receives  the  conqu'ror  in. 

4  Whom  did  the  Lord  of  life  subdue  ? 
The  tyrant  death  his  arm  o'er  came, 
The  world  and  hell  his  power  o'erthrew ; 
And  Jesus  is  the  conqueror's  name. 

5  Who  is  the  King  of  glory  ?     Who  ? 

The  Christ,  with  God's  own  power  possest, 
And  made  our  King  and  Saviour  too ; 
Thanks  be  to  God,  for  ever  blest. 

249  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Ascension  of  Christ. 

1  Rejoice,  ye  shining  worlds  on  high, 
Behold  the  King  of  glory  nigh  : 

204 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  250 

Who  can  this  King  of  glory  be  ? 
The  mighty  Lord,  the  Saviour's  he. 

2  Ye  heav'nly  gates,  your  leaves  display 
To  make  the  Lord,  the  Saviour  way : 
Laden  with  spoils  from  earth  and  hell, 
The  conqu'ror  comes  with  God  to  dwell. 

3  Raised  from  the  dead,  he  goes  before, 
He  opens  heav'n's  eternal  door 

To  give  his  saints  a  blest  abode 
Near  their  Redeemer  and  their  God. 

g50  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Triumph  of  Chris fs  Kingdom. 

1  Maker  and  sovereign  Lord 
Of  heav'n  and  earth  and  seas, 

Thy  providence  confirms  thy  word 
And  answers  thy  decrees. 

2  Why  did  the  Gentiles  rage, 
And  Jews  with  one  accord 

Bend  all  their  counsels  to  destroy 
Th'  anointed  of  the  Lord  ? 

3  Rulers  and  kings  agree 
To  form  a  vain  design ; 

Against  the  Lord  their  powers  unite, 
Against  his  Christ  they  join. 

4  The  Lord  derides  their  rage, 
And  will  support  his  throne ; 

He  that  hath  raised  him  from  the  dead, 
Hath  own'd  him  for  his  son. 

S  205 


25t,  252       CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

5       He  asks,  and  God  bestows 
A  large  inheritance ; 
Far  as  the  earth's  remotest  ends 
His  kingdom  shall  advance. 

251  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Success  of  the  Gospel. 

1  Thus  the  Eternal  Father  spake 

To  Christ  his  Son,  "  Ascend  and  sit 
At  my  right  hand,  till  I  shall  make 
Thy  foes  submissive  at  thy  feet. 

2  "  From  Zion  shall  thy  word  proceed  ; 
Thy  word,  the  sceptre  in  thy  hand, 
Shall  make  the  hearts  of  rebels  bleed, 
And  bow  their  wills  to  thy  command. 

3  "  That  day  shall  show  thy  power  is  great, 
When  men  shall  flock  with  willing  minds. 
And  sinners  crowd  thy  temple  gate, 
Where  holiness  in  beanty  shines.'' 

4  O  blessed  power,  O  glorious  day ! 
What  a  great  vict'ry  shall  ensue ! 
And  converts  who  thy  grace  obey 
Exceed  the  drops  of  morning  dew. 

252  P.  M.  Doddridge. 
Blessed  Effects  of  the  Gospel. 

1   Mark  the  soft-falling  snow, 
And  the  descending  rain ; 
To  heav'n  from  whence  it  fell, 
It  turns  not  back  again ; 

20G 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  252 

But  waters  earth 
Thro'  every  pore. 
And  calls  forth  all 
Her  secret  store. 

2  Array'd  in  beauteous  green 
The  hills  and  valleys  shine, 
And  man  and  beast  are  fed 
By  providence  divine ; 

The  harvest  bows 
Its  golden  ears, 
The  copious  seed 
Of  future  years. 

3  "  So,"  saith  the  God  of  grace, 
"  My  gospel  shall  descend, 

^Almighty  to  effect 
The  purpose  I  intend ; 
Millions  of  souls 
Shall  feel  its  power, 
And  bear  it  down 
To  millions  more. 

4  "  Joy  shall  begin  your  march, 
And  peace  protect  your  ways, 
While  all  the  mountains  round 
Echo  melodious  praise  : 

The  vocal  groves 
Shall  sing  the  God,    ■ 
And  ev'ry  tree 
Consenting  nod." 

207 


253  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

253  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Kingdom  of  Christ. 

1  Great  God,  whose  universal  sway 
The  known  and  unknown  worlds  obey. 
Extend  the  kingdom  of  thy  Son, 

Till  ev'ry  land  his  rule  shall  own. 

2  The  sceptre  well  becomes  his  hands. 
And  wise  and  good  are  his  commands ; 
His  laws  protect  the  humble  poor, 
And  bid  oppression  rage  no  more. 

3  They  form  to  righteousness  the  mind, 
To  all  that's  candid,  gentle,  kind ; 
Inspire  with  love  the  human  breast, 
And  stormy  passions  soothe  to  rest. 

4  As  gentle  rain  on  parching  ground, 
His  gospel  sheds  its  influence  round ; 
Its  grace  on  fainting  souls  distils 
Like  heav'nly  dew  on  thirsty  hills. 

5  The  heathen  lands  that  lie  beneath 
The  shades  of  darkness  and  of  death, 
Revive  at  its  first  dawning  light, 
And  deserts  blossom  at  the  sight. 

0  His  throne  immoveable  shall  stand, 
Upheld  by  thine  almighty  hand, 
Till  all  shall  love  thee  and  adore, 
And  vice  and  mis'ry  be  no  more. 

208 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.     254,  255 

2U/J.  C.  M.  Needham. 

Prayer  for  the  Spread  of  the  Gospel. 

1  Great  God  of  grace,  arise  and  shine, 

With,  beams  of  heav'nly  light ; 
From  this  dark  world  of  sin  dispel 
The  long  and  doleful  night. 

2  No  more  may  senseless  idols  share 

The  honors  due  to  thee ; 
May  ev'ry  nation  know  thy  name, 
And  thy  salvation  see. 

3  No  more  may  persecution  dare 

To  lift  her  iron  rod, 
No  longer  shed  the  blood  of  saints, 
And  plead  a  zeal  for  God. 

4  With  its  own  pure  and  native  light, 

Lord,  may  thy  gospel  shine ; 
May  error  fly  like  noxious  mists 
Before  this  light  divine. 

5  Whilst  heav'n-born  truth  her  charms  re- 

veals, 
May  love  each  breast  inspire, 
Nor  one  base  passion  ever  mix, 
To  quench  this  sacred  fire.  • 

2Uf>  L-  M-  Watts, 

Chris  fs  Kingdom  among  the  Gentiles. 

1  To  God  let  fervent  prayers  arise 
With  ev'ry  daily  sacrifice, 

s*  209 


256  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

The  great  Messiah's  reign  to  spread, 
And  with  new  honors  crown  his  head, 

2  Soon  may  he  reign  where'er  the  sun 
Doth  his  successive  journeys  run  ; 

His  kingdom  stretch  from  shore  to  shore. 
Till  moons  shall  wax  and  wane  no  more. 

3  Great  God,  may  realms  of  ev'ry  tongue 
Dwell  on  thy  love  with  sweetest  song ; 
And  with  united  hearts  proclaim 
That  grace  and  truth  by  Jesus  came. 

4  Blessings  abound  where'er  he  reigns, 
The  pris'ner  leaps  to  lose  his  chains, 
The  weary  find  eternal  rest, 

And  contrite  hearts  with  peace  are  blest. 

5  Where  he  displays  his  healing  power, 
The  sting  of  death  is  known  no  more ; 
In  him  the  tribes  of  Adam  boast 
More  blessings  than  their  father  lost. 


o 


6  Parent  of  good,  to  thee  we  trace 

These  boundless  stores  of  richest  grace  ; 
All  have  their  source  in  love  divine, 
And  be  the  praise  and  glory  thine. 

2HG  p-  M*  Cowper. 

The  Future  Peace  and  Glory  of  the  Church. 

1  Hear  what  God,  the  Lord,  hath  spoken : 
O  my  people,  faint  and  few, 
Comfortless,  afflicted,  broken, 
Fair  abodes  I  build  for  you : 

210 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  257 

Themes  of  heartfelt  tribulation 
Shall  no  more  perplex  your  ways ; 

You  shall  name  your  walls  Salvation, 
And  your  gates  shall  all  he  Praise. 

There,  like  streams  that  feed  the  garden. 

Pleasures  without  end  shall  flow ; 
For  the  Lord,  your  faith  rewarding, 

All  his  bounty  shall  bestow  : 
Still  in  undisturb'd  possession 

Peace  and  righteousness  shall  reign ; 
Never  shall  you  feel  oppression, 

Hear  the  voice  of  war  again. 

Ye,  no  more  your  suns  descending, 

Waning  moons  n'o  more  shall  see ; 
But,  your  griefs  for  ever  ending, 

Find  eternal  noon  in  me  : 
God  shall  rise,  and  shining  o'er  you, 

Change  to  day  the  gloom  of  night ; 
He,  the  Lord,  shall  be  your  glory, 

God  your  everlasting  light. 


25^  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Wilderness  Transformed,  or  the  Happy  Effects  of 
the  Gospel. 

1  Amazing,  beauteous  change  ! 
A  world  created  new ! 
Our  thoughts  with  transport  range 
The  lovely  scene  to  view. 

In  all  we  trace, 

Father  divine, 

211 


257  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

The  work  is  thine, 
Be  thine  the  praise. 

2  See  crystal  fountains  play 
Amidst  the  burninsc  sands  ; 
The  river's  winding  way 
Shines  through  the  thirsty  lands. 

New  grass  is  seen, 
And  o'er  the  meads 
Its  carpet  spreads 
Of  living  green. 

3  Where  pointed  brambles  grew 
Entwined  with  horrid  thorn, 
Gay  flowers,  for  ever  new, 
The  enamell'd  fields  adorn ; 

The  blushing  rose 
And  lily  there 
In  union  fair 
Their  sweets  disclose. 

4  Where  the  bleak  mountain  stood 
All  bare  and  disarrayed, 

See  the  wide-branching  wood 
Diffuse  its  grateful  shade. 

Tall  cedars  nod, 

And  oaks  and  pines 

And  elms  and  vines 

Confess  the  God. 

5  The  tyrants  of  the  plain 
Their  savage  chase  give  o'er ; 
No  more  they  rend  the  slain, 
And  thirst  for  blood  no  more ; 

212 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  258 

But  infant  hands 
Fierce  tigers  stroke, 
And  lions  yoke 
In  flowery  bands. 

6  O  when,  almighty  Lord, 
Shall  these  glad  scenes  arise, 
To  verify  thy  word, 
And  bless  our  wond'ring  eyes  ? 

That  earth  may  raise 

With  all  her  tongues 

United  songs 

Of  ardent  praise. 

»2|>§  P.  M.  Doddridge, 

Glory  of  the  Church  in  the  latter  day. 

1  O  Zion,  tune  thy  voice, 
And  raise  thy  hands  on  high, 
Tell  all  the  earth  thy  joys, 
And  boast  salvation  nigh  ; 

Cheerful  in  God 
Arise  and  shine, 
While  rays  divine 
Stream  all  abroad. 

2  He  gilds  thy  mourning  face 
With  beams  that  cannot  fade  ; 
His  all  resplendent  grace 

He  sheds  upon  thy  head ; 
The  nations  round 
Thy  form  shall  view 
With  lustre  new 
Divinely  crown'd. 

213 


259  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

3  In  honor  to  his  name 
Reflect  that  sacred  light, 
And  loud  that  grace  proclaim 
Which  makes  thy  darkness  bright ; 

Pursue  his  praise 
Till  sov'reign  love 
In  worlds  above 
The  glory  raise. 

4  There  on  his  holy  hill 

A  brighter  sun  shall  rise, 
And  with  his  radiance  fill 
Those  fairer,  purer  skies ; 

While  round  his  throne 

Ten  thousand  stars 

In  nobler  spheres 

His  influence  own. 

259  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele, 

The  Love  of  God  in  the  Gospel. 

1   Lord,  we  adore  thy  boundless  grace, 
The  heights  and  depths  unknown 
Of  pardon,  life  and  joy  and  peace, 
In  thy  beloved  Son. 

*2  Come,  all  ye  pining,  hungry  poor, 
Your  Father's  bounty  taste ; 
Behold  a  never-failing"  store 
For  ev'ry  willing  guest. 

3  Here  shall  your  num'rous  wants  receive 
A  free  and  full  supply ; 
God  has  unmeasured  bliss  to  give, 
And  joys  that  never  die. 

214 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.       260,  261 

4  Lord,  bring  unwilling  souls  to  thee, 
By  thine  all  gracious  power ; 
Thy  boundless  love  let  sinners  see, 
And  at  thy  feet  adore. 

2g©  L.  M.  Watts. 

Invitations. 

1  Come  hither,  all  ye  weary  souls, 
Ye  heavy-laden  sinners,  come ; 

I'll  give  you  rest  from  all  your  toils, 
And  raise  you  to  a  heav'nly  home. 

2  They  shall  find  rest  who  learn  of  me  ; 
I'm  of  a  meek  and  lowly  mind ; 

But  passion  rages  like  the  sea, 
And  pride  is  restless  as  the  wind. 

3  Blest  is  the  man  whose  shoulders  take 
My  yoke,  and  bear  it  with  delight ; 
My  yoke  is  easy  to  his  neck, 

My  grace  shall  make  the  burden  light. 

4  Great  God,  we  come  at  this  command ; 
With  faith  and  hope  and  humble  zeal 
Resign  our  spirits  to  thy  hand, 

To  mould  and  guide  us  at  thy  will. 

261  P.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Come,  said  Jesus'  sacred  voice, 

Come,  and  make  my  paths  your  choice  : 
I  will  guide  you  to  your  home ; 
Weary  pilgrim,  hither  come. 

215 


262  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

2  Thou,  who  houseless,  sole,  forlorn, 
Long  hast  borne  the  proud  world's  scorn. 
Long  hast  roam'd  the  barren  waste, 
Weary  pilgrim,  hither  haste. 

3  Ye  who,  tost  on  beds  of  pain, 
Seek  for  ease,  but  seek  in  vain : 

Ye  whose  swoll'n  and  sleepless  eyes 
Watch  to  see  the  morning  rise : 

4  Ye  by  fiercer  anguish  torn, 

Guilt,  in  strong  remorse,  who  mourn ; 
Here  repose  your  heavy  care  : 
Conscience  wounded,  who  can  bear  ? 

5  Sinner,  come,  for  here  is  found 
Balm  that  flows  for  ev'ry  wound, 
Peace  that  ever  shall  endure, 
Rest  eternal,  sacred,  sure. 

262  C-  M-  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Let  ev'ry  mortal  ear  attend, 

And  ev'ry  heart  rejoice ; 
The  trumpet  of  the  gospel  sounds 
With  an  inviting  voice. 

2  Ho !  all  ye  hungry,  starving  souls, 

That  feed  upon  the  wind, 
And  vainly  strive  with  earthly  toys 
To  fill  an  empty  mind  : 

3  Eternal  wisdom  has  prepared 

A  soul-reviving  feast, 

21G 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  263 

And  bids  your  longing  appetites 
The  rich  provision  taste. 

4  Ho  !  ye  that  pant  for  living  streams, 

And  pine  away  and  die, 
Here  you  may  quench  your  raging  thirst 
With  springs  that  never  dry. 

5  Rivers  of  love  and  mercy  here 

In  a  rich  ocean  join ; 
Salvation  in  abundance  flows 
Like  floods  of  milk  and  wine. 

6  The  happy  gates  of  gospel  grace 

Stand  open  night  and  day : 
Lord,  we  are  come  to  seek  supplies, 
And  drive  our  wants  away. 

2©3  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  Saviour  calls — let  ev'ry  ear 

Attend  the  heav'nly  sound  ; 
Ye  doubting  souls,  dismiss  your  fear, 
Hope  smiles  reviving  round. 

2  For  ev'ry  thirsty,  longing  heart 

Here  streams  of  bounty  flow, 
And  life  and  health  and  bliss  impart 
To  banish  mortal  woe. 

3  Here  springs  of  sacred  pleasure  rise 

To  ease  your  ev'ry  pain ; 
(Immortal  fountain,  full  supplies !) 
Nor  shall  you  thirst  in  vain. 

T  217 


264  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

4  Ye  sinners,  come,  'tis  Mercy's  voice : 

The  gracious  call  obey ; 
Mercy  invites  to  heav'nly  joys, 
And  can  you  yet  delay  ? 

5  Freely  approach,  and  welcome  taste 

The  blessings  of  his  love, 
While  hope  attends  the  sweet  repast 
Of  nobler  joys  above. 

204.  C.  M.  Wesleys. 

The  New  Creation  by  Christ. 

1  Father  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord, 

My  Saviour  and  my  head, 
I  trust  in  thee,  whose  pow'rful  word 
Hath  raised  him  from  the  dead. 

2  Eternal  life  to  all  mankind 

Thou  hast  in  Jesus  given ; 
And  all  who  seek  through  him  shall  find 
The  happiness  of  heav'n. 

3  Obedient  faith  that  waits  on  thee, 

Thou  never  wilt  reprove ; 
But  thou  wilt  form  thy  Son  in  me, 
And  perfect  me  in  love. 

4  To  thee  the  glory  of  thy  pow'r 

And  faithfulness  I  give ; 
I  shall  in  Christ  at  that  glad  hour, 
And  Christ  in  me  shall  live. 

218 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.        265,  266 

•>U||  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Chrisfs  Second  £pp earing. 

1  My  waken'd  soul,  extend  thy  wings 
Beyond  the  verge  of  mortal  things ; 
See  this  vain  world  in  smoke  decay. 
And  rocks  and  mountains  melt  away. 

2  Behold  the  fi'ry  deluge  roll 

Through  heav'n's  wide  arch  from  pole  to 

pole ; 
Pale  sun,  no  more  thy  lustre  boast ; 
Tremble  and  fall,  ye  starry  host. 

3  The  wreck  of  nature  all  around, 

The  angel's  shout,  the  trumpet's  sound, 
Loud  the  descending  Judge  proclaim, 
And  echo  his  tremendous  name. 

4  Children  of  Adam,  all  appear 
With  rev'rence  round  his  awful  bar  ; 
For  as  his  lips  pronounce,  ye  go 

To  endless  bliss  or  unknown  woe. 

5  Lord,  to  my  eyes  this  scene  display. 
Frequent  through  each  returning  day ; 
And  let  thy  grace  my  soul  prepare 
To  find  complete  redemption  there, 

266  L.  M.  Jervis. 

The  same  subject. 

1  That  solemn  day  will  soon  arrive, 
Th'  important,  the  decisive  day, 
When,  from  death's  awful  slumber  roused, 
God's  dread  command  all  must  obey. 

219 


267  CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 

2  Deep  thunders  usher  in  the  morn, 

And  through  the  heav'ns  tremendous  roll 

The  wide  expanse  is  all  on  fire, 

While  lightnings  blaze  from  pole  to  pole. 

3  In  glory,  see,  the  Judge  descends 
Array'd  in  majesty  and  might, 
Attended  by  ten  thousand  saints, 
And  angels  of  celestial  light. 

4  The  trumpet's  loud  and  dreadful  blast 
Sounds  through  the  regions  of  the  dead  : 
With  terror  some,  and  some  with  joy. 
Rise  from  the  dust,  their  lowly  bed. 

5  All-righteous  and  eternal  Judge, 
When  summon' d  at  thy  bar  to  stand, 
May  we,  acquitted  and  approved, 

Be  crown'd  with  bliss  at  thy  right  hand. 

2©7  P.  M.  Salisbury  Col. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Lo,  he  comes  from  heav'n  descending. 

Sent  to  judge  both  quick  and  dead  ; 
'Midst  ten  thousand  saints  and  angels, 
See  our  great  exalted  head. 

Hallelujah ! 
Welcome  welcome,  Son  of  God. 

2  Full  of  awful  expectation, 

All  before  the  Judge  appear ; 
Truth  and  justice  go  before  him ; 
Now  the  joyful  sentence  hear. 

Hallelujah ! 
Welcome,  welcome,  Judge  divine. 

220 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  267 

"  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 

Enter  into  life  and  joy, 
Banish  all  your  fear  and  sorrow, 

Endless  praise  be  your  employ. 

Hallelujah ! 

Welcome,  welcome,  to  the  skies." 

Now  at  once  they  rise  to  glory, 
Jesus  brings  them  to  the  King ; 

There  with  all  the  hosts  of  heav'n 
They  eternal  anthems  sing. 

Hallelujah ! 
Glory  be  to  God  on  high. 


PART    IX. 

PENITENTIAL. 


268  c.  m.  cowper. 

Human  Frailty  acknowledged. 

1  Weak  and  irresolute  is  man  ; 

The  purpose  of  to-day, 
Woven  with  pains  into  his  plan, 
To-morrow  rends  away. 

2  Some  foe  to  his  upright  intent 

Finds  out  his  weaker  part ; 
Virtue  engages  his  assent, 
But  pleasure  wins  his  heart. 

3  Life's  voyage  is  of  awful  length, 

Through  dangers  little  known ; 
A  stranger  to  superior  strength, 
Man  vainly  trusts  his  own. 

4  But  oars  alone  can  ne'er  prevail 

To  reach  the  distant  coast ; 
The  breath  of  heav'n  must  swell  the  sail, 
Or  all  the  toil  is  lost. 

222 


PENITENTIAL.  269 

269  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Inconstancy  in  Religion  lamented. 

1  Perpetual  Source  of  light  and  grace, 

We  hail  thy  sacred  name ; 
Through  ev'ry  year's  revolving  round 
Thy  goodness  is  the  same. 

2  On  us,  unworthy  as  we  are, 

Its  wondrous  mercy  pours, 
Sure  as  the  heav'n's  establish' d  course, 
And  plenteous  as  the  show'rs. 

3  Inconstant  service  we  repay, 

And  treach'rous  vows  renew, 
False  as  the  morning's  scatt'ring  cloud, 
And  transient  as  the  dew. 

4  Low  at  thy  feet  our  guilt  we  mourn, 

And  loud  implore  thy  grace 
To  bear  our  feeble  footsteps  on 
In  all  thy  righteous  ways. 

5  Arm'd  with  this  energy  divine, 

Our  souls  shall  constant  prove, 
And  with  increasing  transport  press 
On  to  thy  courts  above. 

6  So  by  thy  pow'r  the  morning  sun 

Pursues  his  radiant  way, 
Brightens  each  moment  in  his  race, 
And  shines  to  perfect  day. 

223 


270,  271  PENITENTIAL. 

2^0  L*  M*  Blacklock. 

Reliance  on  God's  Compassion  to  Human  Weakness. 

1  Great  God,  if  nature,  weak  and  frail, 
To  strong  temptations  oft  give  way, 
If  doubt  or  passion  should  prevail 
O'er  wand'ring  reason's  feeble  ray; 

2  On  thy  compassion  I  rely ; 

Let  not  thy  frowns  my  faults  reprove ; 
Regard  me  with  a  father's  eye, 
And  guide  me  with  a  father's  love. 


271  L.  M.  Watts. 

Penitence. 

1  Show  pity,  Lord — 0  Lord,  forgive, 
Let  a  repenting  sinner  live : 

Are  not  thy  mercies  large  and  free  ? 
May  not  the  contrite  trust  in  thee  ? 

2  With  shame  my  num'rous  sins  I  trace 
Against  thy  laws,  against  thy  grace ; 

And  tho'  my  pray'r  thou  shouldst  not  hear, 
My  doom  is  just,  and  thou  art  clear. 

3  Yet  save  a  penitent,  O  Lord, 

Whose  hope  still  hov'ring  round  thy  word, 
Seeks  for  some  precious  promise  there, 
Some  sure  support  against  despair. 

4  My  sins  are  great,  but  don't  surpass 
The  riches  of  eternal  grace ; 

224 


PENITENTIAL.  272 

Great  God,  thy  nature  hath  no  bound, 
So  let  thy  pard'ning  love  be  found. 

5  O  wash  my  soul  from  ev'ry  stain, 
Nor  let  the  guilt  I  mourn  remain ; 
Give  me  to  hear  thy  pard'ning  voice, 
And  bid  my  bleeding  heart  rejoice. 

6  Then  shall  thy  love  inspire  my  tongue, 
Salvation  shall  be  all  my  song ; 

And  ev'ry  pow'r  shall  join  to  bless 

The  Lord,  my  strength  and  righteousness. 

2f2*  L'M-  Watts. 

Tlie  same  subject. 

1  O  Thou  who  hear'st  when  sinners  cry, 
Though  all  my  crimes  before  thee  lie. 
Behold  them  not  with  angry  look, 
But  blot  their  mem'ry  from  thy  book. 

2  Renew  me,  O  my  God,  within, 
And  form  my  soul  averse  to  sin  ; 
Thy  freely  pard'ning  grace  impart, 
And  shed  thy  love  through  all  my  heart. 

3  Though  I  have  oft  offended,  Lord, 
Thy  help  and  comfort  still  afford, 

And  hear,  while  prostrate  at  thy  throne, 
I  plead,  and  trust  thy  grace  alone. 

4  A  broken  heart,  my  God,  my  King, 
Is  all  the  sacrifice  I  bring ; 

The  God  of  grace  will  ne'er  despise 
A  broken  heart  for  sacrifice. 

225 


273  PENITENTIAL. 

5  I  cannot  live  without  thy  light, 

Cast  out  and  banish' d  from  thy  sight ; 
Thy  holy  joys,  my  God,  restore, 
And  guard  me  that  I  fall  no  more. 

6  Then  will  I  teach  the  world  thy  grace ; 
Sinners  shall  learn  to  seek  thy  face, 
Forsake  the  evil  ways  they  trod, 

And  love  and  serve  a  pard'ning  God. 

2^3  P.  M.  Merrick. 

Freedom  from  Error,  Guilt  and  Folly  implored. 

1  Blest  Instructor,  from  thy  ways 
Who  can  tell  how  oft  he  strays  ? 
Save  from  error's  growth  my  mind, 
Leave  not,  Lord,  one  root  behind.     v 

2  Cleanse  me  from  the  guilt  that  lies 
Wrapt  within  my  heart's  disguise ; 
Let  me  thence,  by  thee  renew'd, 
Each  presumptuous  sin  exclude  : 

3  So  my  lot  shall  ne'er  be  join'd 
With  the  men  whose  impious  mind, 
Fearless  of  thy  just  command, 
Braves  the  vengeance  of  thy  hand. 

4  Let  my  tongue,  from  error  free, 
Speak  the  words  approved  by  thee ; 
To  thy  all-observing  eyes, 

Let  my  thoughts  accepted  rise. 

5  While  I  thus  thy  name  adore, 
And  thy  healing  grace  implore, 

226 


PENITENTIAL.  274,  275 

Blest  Redeemer,  bow  thine  ear, 
God,  my  strength,  propitious  hear. 

2^4  C.  M.  Watts. 

Want  of  Religious  Zeal  lamented. 

1  Long  have  I  sat  beneath  the  sound 

Of  thy  salvation,  Lord, 
Yet  still  how  weak  my  faith  is  found, 
And  knowledge  of  thy  word  ! 

2  Oft  I  frequent  thy  holy  place, 

And  hear  almost  in  vain ; 
What  faint  impressions  of  thy  grace 
My  languid  powers  retain  ! 

3  How  cold  and  feeble  is  my  love ! 

How  negligent  my  fear ! 
How  low  my  hope  of  joys  above  ! 
How  few  affections  there  ! 

4  Great  God,  thy  gracious  aid  impart 

To  give  thy  word  success ; 
Write  all  its  precepts  on  my  heart, 
And  deep  its  truths  impress. 

5  O  speed  my  progress  in  the  way 

That  leads  to  joys  on  high, 
Where  knowledge  grows  without  decay, 
And  love  shall  never  die. 

2^5  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Absence  from  God. 

I   O  thou,  whose  tender  mercy  hears 
Contrition's  humble  sigh, 

227 


276  PENITENTIAL. 

Whose  hand  indulgent  wipes  the  tears 
From  sorrow's  weeping  eye ; 

2  See,  low  before  thy  throne  of  grace, 

A  wretched  wand'rer  mourn ; 
Hast  thou  not  bid  me  seek  thy  face  ? 
Hast  thou  not  said,  Return  ? 

3  Absent  from  thee,  my  guide,  my  light, 

Without  one  cheering  ray, 
Through  dangers,  fears  and  gloomy  night, 
How  desolate  my  way ! 

4  O  shine  on  this  benighted  heart,  • 

With  beams  of  mercy  shine ; 
And  let  thy  healing  voice  impart 
A  taste  of  joys  divine. 

5  Thy  presence  only  can  bestow 

Delights  which  never  cloy  : 
Be  this  my  solace  here  below, 
And  my  eternal  joy. 

2T©  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Returning  to  God. 

1  The  Lord,  how  kind  are  all  his  ways, 

When  most  they  seem  severe  ! 
He  frowns  and  scourges  and  rebukes, 
That  we  may  learn  his  fear. 

2  With  thorns  he  fences  up  our  path, 

And  builds  a  wall  around, 
To  guard  us  from  the  death  that  lurks 
In  sin's  forbidden  ground. 

228 


PENITENTIAL.     •  277 

3  Return,  ye  wand'ring  souls  !  return, 

And  seek  his  tender  breast ; 
Call  back  the  mem'ry  of  the  days 
When  there  you  found  your  rest. 

4  Behold,  O  Lord,  we  fly  to  thee, 

Though  blushes  veil  our  face, 
Constrain' d  our  last  retreat  to  seek 
In  thy  much  injured  grace. 

277  0.  M.  Doddridge. 

Hearing  the  Voice  of  God's  Hod, 

1  Attend,  my  soul,  with  rev'rent  awe 

The  dictates  of  thy  God ; 
Silent  and  trembling  hear  the  voice 
Of  his  appointed  rod. 

2  Now  let  me  search  and  try  my  ways, 

And  prostrate  seek  his  face, 
Conscious  of  guilt,  before  his  throne 
In  dust  my  soul  abase. 

3  Teach  me,  my  Cod,  what's  yet  unknown, 

And  all  my  crimes  forgive ; 
Those  crimes  I  would  no  more  repeat, 
But  to  thy  honor  live. 

4  My  wither 'd  joys  too  plainly  show 

That  all  on  earth  is  vain ; 
In  God  my  wounded  heart  confides, 
True  rest  and  bliss  to  gain. 

5  Father,  I  wait  thy  gracious  call 

To  leave  this  mournful  land, 

U  229 


278  PENITENTIAL. 

And  bathe  in  rivers  of  delight 
That  flow  at  thy  right  hand. 

2*y§  C.  M.  Mrs.  Carter. 

Mercy  to  the  Penitent. 

1  O  Thou,  the  wretched's  sure  retreat, 

Who  dost  our  cares  control, 
And  with  the  cheerful  smile  of  peace 
Revive  the  fainting  soul ; 

2  Did  ever  thy  propitious  ear 

The  humble  plea  disdain  ? 
Or  when  did  plaintive  mis'ry  sigh 
Or  supplicate  in  vain  ? 

3  Opprest  with  grief  and  shame,  dissolved 

In  penitential  tears, 
Thy  goodness  calms  our  anxious  doubts 
And  dissipates  our  fears. 

4  New  life  from  thy  refreshing  grace 

Our  sinking  hearts  receive; 
Thy  gentlest,  best-loved  attribute, 
To  pity  and  forgive. 

5  From  that  blest  source,  propitious  hope 

Appears  serenely  bright, 
And  sheds  her  soft  and  cheering  beam 
O'er  sorrow's  dismal  night. 

6  Our  hearts  adore  thy  mercy,  Lord, 

And  bless  the  friendly  ray 
Which  ushers  in  the  smiling  morn 
Of  everlasting  day. 

230 


PENITENTIAL.  279,280 

2^0  C#  M*  Jervis. 

Peace  to  the  Returning  Penitent. 

1  Sweet  is  the  friendly  voice  that  speaks 

The  words  of  life  and  peace ; 
Which  bids  the  penitent  rejoice, 
And  sin  and  sorrow  cease. 

2  No  healing  balm  on  earth  like  this 

Can  cheer  the  contrite  heart ; 
No  flatt'ring  dreams  of  earthly  bliss 
Such  pure  delight  impart. 

3  Thou  still  art  merciful  and  kind ; 

Thy  mercy,  Lord,  reveal ; 
The  broken  heart  'tis  thou  canst  bind, 
The  wounded  spirit  heal. 

4  Let  thy  bright  presence,  Lord,  restore 

Peace  to  my  anxious  breast ; 
Conduct  me  in  the  path  that  leads 
To  everlasting  rest. 

280  C-  M-  Jervis. 

Penitent  Supplication* 

1  Thou,  Lord,  in  mercy  wTilt  regard 

The  upright  and  sincere ; 
Thou  wilt  with  gracious  eye  behold 
The  penitential  tear. 

2  Thou  canst  restrain  wild  passion's  sway. 

The  pow'r  of  vice  control, 
Restore  bright  reason's  ray  divine, 
To  purify  the  soul. 

231 


281  PENITENTIAL. 

3  O  God,  from  error  turn  my  feet, 

That  I  no  more  may  stray ; 
And  guide  my  steps  direct  and  safe 
In  virtue's  peaceful  way. 

4  Let  me  no  more  with  wilful  mind 

Thy  righteous  laws  offend ; 
Then  shall  I  know  nor  guilt  nor  fear, 
If  thou  be  still  my  friend. 

281  L.  M.  Jervis. 

The  Guilty  Mind  Relieved  by  the  Hope  of  Forgiveness. 

1  While,  with  remorse  and  woe  opprest, 
Distraction  haunts  the  guilty  breast, 
The  broken  heart,  the  troubled  mind, 
In  God  alone  shall  succor  find. 

2  'Tis  his  the  wounds  of  vice  to  heal, 
The  charms  of  mercy  to  reveal ; 
He  grants  the  penitent  relief, 

And  cheers  the  soul  o'erwhelm'd  with  grief. 

3  When  by  temptation's  billows  tost, 
On  rocks  of  ruin  well  nigh  lost, 
Still,  hope,  the  anchor  of  the  soul, 
Shall  folly's  beating  wave  control. 

4  To  all  the  world's  delusive  joys, 
Ensnaring  wiles  and  empty  noise, 
The  sinner  bids  a  long  farewell, 
And  loves  with  purity  to  dwell. 

232 


PENITENTIAL.  282,  283 


In  her  secure  and  calm  retreat, 
He  now  enjoys  a  tranquil  state, 
Conscious  that  God  will  deign  to  hear 
The  contrite,  humble,  and  sincere. 


282  L.  M.  Merrick. 
Imploring  Divine  Protection. 

1  Thine  eyes  in  me  the  sheep  behold 
Whose  feet  have  wander'd  from  the  fold ; 
That  guideless,  helpless,  strives  in  vain 
To  find  its  safe  retreat  again : 

2  Now  listens,  if  perchance  its  ear 

The  shepherd's  well  known  voice  may  hear 
Now,  as  the  tempests  round  it  blow, 
In  plaintive  accents  vents  it  woe. 

3  Great  Ruler  of  this  earthly  ball, 
Do  thou  my  erring  steps  recall ; 

O  seek  thou  him  who  thee  has  sought, 
Nor  turns  from  thy  decrees  his  thought. 

283  S.  M.  Watts. 

Forgiveness  of  Sin  upon  Confession. 

1  O  blessed  souls  are  they, 
Whose  sins  are  cover'd  o'er ; 

Divinely  blest  to  whom  the  Lord 
Imputes  their  guilt  no  more. 

2  They  mourn  their  follies  past, 
And  keep  their  hearts  with  care ; 

u*  233 


283  PENITENTIAL. 

Their  lips  and  lives  without  deceit, 
Shall  prove  their  souls  sincere. 

3  While  I  conceal'd  my  guilt, 
I  felt  the  fest'ring  wound ; 

But  I  renounced  my  former  sins, 
And  peace  and  pardon  found. 

4  Let  sinners  learn  to  pray ; 
Let  all  keep  near  the  throne ; 

Our  help  in  time  of  deep  distress, 
Is  found  in  God  alone. 


PART  X. 

DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND  GOOD  RESOLUTIONS. 


2§4L  L-  M-  Merrick. 

The  Pleasures  of  Devotion. 

1  God  of  my  strength,  to  thee  I  cry, 
To  thee,  my  surest  refuge,  fly ; 

O  may  thy  light  attend  my  way, 
Thy  truth  afford  its  cheering  ray. 

2  Conduct  me  to  thy  hallow'd  seat, 
Where  wisdom,  truth  and  mercy  meet ; 
And  there,  in  all  its  best  array, 

My  heart  its  richest  gifts  shall  pay. 

3  Thy  mercies,  to  my  heart  reveal'd, 
A  theme  of  endless  transport  yield ; 
Thy  love  does  all  my  bosom  fire, 
Thy  praise  does  all  my  song  inspire. 

4  In  all  our  cares,  in  all  our  woes, 
On  God  our  steadfast  hopes  repose ; 
To  God  our  thanks  shall  still  be  paid, 
Our  sure  defence,  our  constant  aid. 

285  C.  M.       Miss  H.  M.  Williams. 

Habitual  Devotion. 

1  While  thee  I  seek,  protecting  Pow'r, 
Be  my  vain  wishes  still' d  ; 

235 


286  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

And  may  this  consecrated  hour 
With  better  hopes  be  fill'd. 

2  Thy  love  the  pow'r  of  thought  bestow'd, 

To  thee  my  thoughts  would  soar ; 
Thy  mercy  o'er  my  life  has  flow'd, 
That  mercy  I  adore. 

3  In  each  event  of  life,  how  clear 

Thy  ruling  hand  I  see ! 
Each  blessing  to  my  soul  more  dear 
Because  conferr'd  by  thee. 

4  In  ev'ry  joy  that  crowns  my  days, 

In  ev'ry  pain  I  bear, 
My  heart  shall  find  delight  in  praise, 
Or  seek  relief  in  prayer. 

5  When  gladness  wings  my  favor 'd  hour, 

Thy  love  my  thoughts  shall  fill ; 
Resign'd,  when  storms  of  sorrow  low'r, 
My  soul  shall  meet  thy  will. 

6  My  lifted  eye  without  a  tear 

The  low'ring  storm  shall  see ; 
My  steadfast  heart  shall  know  no  fear ; 
That  heart  shall  rest  on  thee. 


2gg  S.  M.  Watts. 

Daily  Devotion. 

1       While  thoughtless  sinners  choose 
The  road  that  leads  to  death, 
I  in  the  service  of  my  God 
Will  spend  my  daily  breath. 

236 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  287 

2  I'll  worship  at  his  throne, 
When  morning  brings  the  light ; 

I'll  seek  his  blessing  ev'ry  noon, 
And  pay  my  vows  at  night. 

3  With  all  my  anxious  cares, 
I'll  lean  upon  the  Lord ; 

I'll  cast  my  burdens  on  his  arm, 
And  rest  upon  his  word. 

4  His  arm  shall  well  sustain 
The  children  of  his  love ; 

The  ground  on  which  their  safety  stands, 
No  earthly  pow'r  can  move. 

28^  L.  M.  Walker. 

Communion  with  God. 

1  Enough  of  life's  vain  scene  I've  trod, 
Sweet  is  this  interval  of  rest ; 

With  cheerful  heart  I  meet  my  God, 
His  presence  makes  me  truly  blest. 

2  Father  and  Friend,  relations  dear, 
Rejoicing  to  the  human  soul ; 
They  lift  us  above  ev'ry  fear, 
And  ills  (if  ills  there  be)  control. 

3  Pleasant  is  life,  and  sweet  the  light 
That  pours  from  the  bright  orb  of  day, 
Revealing  to  our  raptured  sight 

The  world  in  all  its  rich  display. 

4  Pleasant  is  life,  and  sweet  its  ties, 
The  touching  charities  of  man ; 

237 


288  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

Friend,  fellow,  child  and  parent  rise, 
Endearing  life's  progressive  plan. 

5  But  light  and  life  would  soon  be  vile, 
And  all  their  dearest  pleasures  fall, 
Nor  sun  would  shine,  nor  life  would  smile, 
Without  thy  presence  gladd'ning  all. 

2§g  C.  M.  Watts. 

God  our  only  Hapjmiess. 

1  My  God,  my  Portion,  and  my  Love, 

My  everlasting  All, 
I've  none  but  thee  in  heav'n  above, 
Or  on  this  earthly  ball. 

2  In  vain  the  bright  meridian  sun 

Scatters  his  feeble  light ; 
Thy  brighter  beams  create  my  noon ; 
If  thou  withdraw,  'tis  night. 

3  And  while  upon  my  restless  bed, 

Amongst  the  shades  I  roll, 
If  God  his  light  around  me  shed, 
'Tis  morning  with  my  soul. 

4  To  thee  I  owe  my  wealth  and  friends, 

And  health,  and  safe  abode ; 
Thanks  to  thy  name  for  meaner  things ; 
But  they  are  not  my  God. 

5  Were  I  possessor  of  the  earth, 

And  call'd  the  stars  my  own, 
Without  thy  mercy  and  thy  love, 
I  were  a  wretch  undone. 

238 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  289.  290 

£  Let  others  stretch  their  arms  like  seas, 
And  grasp  th'  extended  shore, 
Grant  me  to  see  thy  blissful  face, 
And  I  desire  no  more. 

289  C.  M.  Watts. 

Support  and  Counsel  from  God. 

1  Let  heathens  to  their  idols  haste, 

And  worship  wood  or  stone, 
But  my  delightful  lot  is  cast 
Where  the  true  God  is  known, 

2  His  hand  provides  my  constant  food, 

He  fills  my  daily  cup ; 
Much  am  I  pleased  with  present  good, 
But  more  rejoice  in  hope. 

3  God  is  my  portion  and  my  joy  ; 

His  counsels  are  my  light ; 
He  gives  me  kind  advice  by  day, 
And  gentle  hints  by  night. 

4  My  soul  would  all  her  thoughts  approve 

To  his  all-seeing  eye ; 
Nor  death  itself  my  hope  shall  move, 
While  such  a  friend  is  nigh. 

290  ©.  M.  Watts. 

God  our  Portion  Here  and  Hereafter. 

1  God,  my  Supporter  and  my  Hope, 
My  Help  forever  near, 
Thine  arm  of  mercy  held  me  up, 
When  sinking  in  despair. 

239 


291  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

2  Thy  counsels,  Lord,  shall  guide  my  feet 

Through  this  dark  wilderness ; 
Thy  hand  conduct  me  near  thy  seat, 
To  dwell  before  thy  face. 

3  Were  I  in  heav'n  without  my  God, 

'T would  be  no  joy  to  me ; 
And  while  this  earth  is  my  abode, 
I  long  for  none  but  thee. 

4  What  if  the  springs  of  life  were  broke, 

And  flesh  and  heart  should  faint  ? 
God  is  my  soul's  eternal  rock, 
The  strength  of  ev'ry  saint. 

5  Behold,  the  sinners  that  remove 

Far  from  thy  presence,  die ; 
Not  all  the  idol-gods  they  love 
Can  save  them  when  they  cry. 

6  But  to  draw  near  to  thee,  my  God, 

Shall  be  my  sweet  employ ; 
My  tongue  shall  sound  thy  works  abroad, 
And  tell  the  world  my  joy. 

291  S.  M.  Watts. 

Safety  in  God. 

1  When  overwhelm'd  with  grief, 
My  heart  within  me  dies, 

Helpless,  and  far  from  all  relief, 
To  heav'n  I  lift  mine  eyes. 

2  O  lead  me  to  the  rock 
That's  high  above  my  head ; 

240 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  292 

And  make  the  covert  of  thy  wings 
My  shelter  and  my  shade. 

3  Within  thy  presence,  Lord, 
For  ever  I'll  abide ; 

Thou  art  the  tower  of  my  defence, 
The  refuge  where  I  hide. 

4  Thou  givest  me  the  lot 

Of  those  that  fear  thy  name ; 
If  endless  life  be  their  reward, 
I  shall  possess  the  same. 

292  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Refuge  and  Strength  in  the  Mercy  of  God, 

1  My  God,  'tis  to  thy  mercy-seat 

My  soul  for  shelter  flies ; 
"Tis  here  I  find  a  safe  retreat 
When  storms  and  tempests  rise. 

2  My  cheerful  hope  can  never  die, 

If  thou,  my  God,  art  near ; 
Thy  grace  can  raise  my  comforts  high 
And  banish  ev'ry  fear. 

3  My  great  Protector  and  my  Lord, 

Thy  constant  aid  impart, 
And  let  thy  kind,  thy  gracious  word, 
Sustain  my  trembling  heart. 

4  O  never  let  my  soul  remove 

From  this  divine  retreat ; 
Still  let  me  trust  thy  pow'r  and  love, 
And  dwell  beneath  thy  feet. 

V  241 


293  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

293  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Hope  in  the  Contemplation  of  the  Divine  Perfections. 

1  Why  sinks  my  weak  desponding  mind  ? 
Why  heaves  my  heart  the  anxious  sigh  ? 
Can  sov'reign  goodness  be  unkind  ? 

Am  I  not  safe,  if  God  be  nigh  ? 

2  He  holds  all  nature  in  his  hand ; 
That  gracious  hand  on  which  I  live 
Does  life  and  time  and  death  command. 
And  has  immortal  joys  to  give. 

3  'Tis  he  supports  this  fainting  frame, 
On  him  alone  my  hopes  recline ; 
The  wondrous  glories  of  his  name, 

How  wide  they  spread,  how  bright  they 
shine ! 

4  Infinite  wisdom  !  boundless  power  ! 
Unchanging  faithfulness  and  love  ! 
Here  let  me  trust  while  I  adore, 
Nor  from  my  refuge  e'er  remove. 

5  My  God,  if  thou  art  mine  indeed, 
Then  I  have  all  my  heart  can  crave ; 
A  present  help  in  times  of  need, 
Still  kind  to  hear,  and  strong  to  save. 

6  Forgive  my  doubts,  O  gracious  Lord, 
And  ease  the  sorrows  of  my  breast; 
Speak  to  my  heart  the  healing  word, 
That  thou  art  mine,  and  I  am  blest. 

242 


GOOD    RESOLUTIONS.  294 


*>f)4L  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

God  the  only  Refuge  of  the  Troubled  Mind. 

1  Almighty  refuge  of  my  soul, 

On  thee  when  sorrows  rise. 
On  thee  when  waves  of  trouble  roll 
My  fainting  hope  relies. 

2  While  hope  -  revives,  though  press'd  with 

fears, 
And  I  can  say,  "  My  God," 
Before  thy  throne  I  spread  my  cares, 
And  pour  my  woes  abroad. 

3  To  thee  I  tell  each  rising  grief, 

For  thou  alone  canst  heal ; 
Thy  word  can  bring  a  sweet  relief 
For  ev'ry  pain  I  feel. 

4  But  O  when  gloomy  doubts  prevail, 

I  fear  to  call  thee  mine ; 
The  springs  of  comfort  seem  to  fail, 
And  all  my  hopes  decline. 

5  Yet,  gracious  God,  where  shall  I  flee  ? 

Thou  art  my  only  trust ; 
And  still  my  soul  would  cleave  to  thee, 
Though  prostrate  in  the  dust. 

6  Thy  mercy-seat  is  open  still ; 

Here  let  my  soul  retreat, 
With  humble  hope  attend  thy  will, 
And  wait  beneath  thy  feet. 

243 


295,  296  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  and 

295  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Desiring  Assurance  of  the  Favor  of  God. 

1  Eternal  Source  of  joys  divine, 

To  thee  my  soul  aspires ; 
O  could  I  say ?  "  The  Lord  is  mine," 
?Tis  all  my  soul  desires. 

2  Thy  smile  can  give  me  real  joy, 

Unmingled  and  refined, 
Substantial  bliss  without  alloy, 
And  lasting  as  the  mind. 

3  Thy  smile  can  gild  the  shade  of  woe, 

Bid  stormy  troubles  cease, 
Spread  the  fair  dawn  of  heav'n  below, 
And  sweeten  pain  to  peace. 

4  My  Hope,  my  Trust,  my  Life,  my  Lord, 

Assure  me  of  thy  love ; 
O  speak  the  kind  transporting  word, 
And  bid  my  fears  remove. 

5  Then  shall  my  thankful  powers  rejoice 

And  triumph  in  my  God, 
Till  heav'nly  rapture  tune  my  voice 
To  sound  thy  praise  abroad. 

290  p- M*        Mrs-  Barbauld- 

Devout  Aspirations, 

1   God,  our  kind  Master,  merciful  as  just, 
Knowing  our  frame,  remembers  man  is  dust; 
His  ear  is  open  to  the  softest  cry, 
His  grace  descends  to  meet  the  lifted  eye. 

244 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  297,  298 

He  reads  the  language  of  the  silent  tear, 
And  sighs  are  incense  from  a  heart  sincere ; 
He  marks  the  dawn  of  ev'ry  virtuous  aim, 
And  fans  the  smoking  flax  into  a  flame. 

O  set  me  from  all  earthly  bondage  free ; 
Still  ev'ry  wish  that  centres  not  in  thee  : 
Bid  my  fond  hopes,  my  vain  disquiets  cease, 
And  point  my  path  to  everlasting  peace. 


20^  P.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

The  same  subject. 

1  If  friendless  in  the  vale  of  tears  I  stray, 
Where  briars  wound  and  thorns  perplex 

my  way, 
Still  let  my  steady  soul  thy  goodness  see, 
And  with  strong  confidence  lay  hold  on  thee. 

2  In  every  creature,  Lord,  I  own  thy  power. 
In  each  event  thy  providence  adore  ; 

Thy  promises  shall  cheer  my  drooping  soul, 
Thy  precepts  guide  me  and  thy  fear  control. 

3  Then  when  at  last  I  cprit  this  transient  scene, 
Help  me  to  leave  it  with  a  heart  serene ; 
Teach  me  to  fix  my  ardent  hopes  on  high, 
And  having  lived  to  thee,  in  thee  to  die. 

298  C*  M-  Exster  Col. 

The  Lord's  Prayer  imitated. 

1  Father  of  all,  Eternal  Mind, 
Supremely  good  and  great, 

v*  245 


293  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

Thy  children,  form'd  and  blest  by  thee, 
Approach  thy  heav'nly  seat. 

2  Thy  name  in  hallow' d  strains  be  sung ; 

We  join  the  solemn  praise ; 
To  thy  great  name  with  heart  and  tongue 
Our  cheerful  homage  raise. 

3  Thy  mild,  thy  wise  and  righteous  reign, 

Let  ev'ry  being  own, 
And  in  our  minds,  thy  work  divine, 
Erect  thy  gracious  throne. 

4  As  angels  in  the  heav'nly  worlds 

Thy  blest  commands  fulfil, 
So  may  thy  creatures  here  below 
Perform  thy  holy  will. 

5  On  thee  we  day  by  day  depend ; 

Our  daily  wants  supply  ; 
With  truth  and  virtue  feed  our  souls, 
That  they  may  never  die. 

6  Extend  thy  grace  to  ev'ry  fault ; 

O  let  thy  love  forgive ; 
Teach  us  divine  forgiveness  too, 
Nor  let  resentments  live. 

7  Where  tempting  snares  bestrew  the  way, 

Permit  us  not  to  tread ; 
Or  turn  all  real  evil  far 
From  our  unguarded  head. 

8  Thy  sacred  name  we  would  adore 

With  cheerful,  humble  mind, 

246 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  299,  300 

And  praise  thy  goodness,  pow'r  and  truth, 
Eternal,  unconfined. 

29f)  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Prayer  of  Jacob. 

1  O  God  of  Jacob,  by  whose  hand 

Thine  Isr'el  still  is  fed, 
Who  through  this  weary  pilgrimage 
Hast  all  our  fathers  led ; 

2  To  thee  our  humble  vows  we  raise, 

To  thee  address  our  prayer, 
And  in  thy  kind  and  faithful  breast 
Deposit  all  our  care. 

3  If  thou  through  each  perplexing  path 

Wilt  be  our  constant  guide, 

If  thou  wilt  daily  bread  supply, 

And  raiment  wilt  provide ; 

4  If  thou  wilt  spread  thy  shield  around, 

Till  these  our  wand' rings  cease, 
And  at  our  Father's  loved  abode 
Our  souls  arrive  in  peace ; 

5  To  thee,  as  to  our  cov'nant-God, 

We'll  our  whole  selves  resign, 
And  thankful  own  that  all  we  are 
And  all  we  have  is  thine. 

300  C-  M-  Select  Col. 

Aspirations  after  the  Christian  Temper. 

1  Almighty  Maker,  Lord  of  all, 
Of  life  the  only  Spring, 

247 


293  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

Thy  children,  form'd  and  blest  by  thee, 
Approach  thy  heav'nly  seat. 

2  Thy  name  in  hallow'd  strains  be  sung ; 

We  join  the  solemn  praise ; 
To  thy  great  name  with  heart  and  tongue 
Our  cheerful  homage  raise. 

3  Thy  mild,  thy  wise  and  righteous  reign, 

Let  ev'ry  being  own, 
And  in  our  minds,  thy  work  divine, 
Erect  thy  gracious  throne. 

4  As  angels  in  the  heav'nly  worlds 

Thy  blest  commands  fulfil, 
So  may  thy  creatures  here  below 
Perform  thy  holy  will. 

5  On  thee  we  day  by  day  depend ; 

Our  daily  wants  supply  ; 
With  truth  and  virtue  feed  our  souls, 
That  they  may  never  die. 

6  Extend  thy  grace  to  ev'ry  fault ; 

O  let  thy  love  forgive ; 
Teach  us  divine  forgiveness  too, 
Nor  let  resentments  live. 

7  Where  tempting  snares  bestrew  the  way, 

Permit  us  not  to  tread ; 
Or  turn  all  real  evil  far 
From  our  unguarded  head. 

8  Thy  sacred  name  we  would  adore 

With  cheerful,  humble  mind, 

24G 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  299,  300 

And  praise  thy  goodness,  pow'r  and  truth, 
Eternal,  unconfined. 

29f$  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Prayer  of  Jacob. 

1  0  God  of  Jacob,  by  whose  hand 

Thine  Isr'el  still  is  fed, 
Who  through  this  weary  pilgrimage 
Hast  all  our  fathers  led ; 

2  To  thee  our  humble  vows  we  raise, 

To  thee  address  our  prayer, 
And  in  thy  kind  and  faithful  breast 
Deposit  all  our  care. 

3  If  thou  through  each  perplexing  path 

Wilt  be  our  constant  guide, 

If  thou  wilt  daily  bread  supply, 

And  raiment  wilt  provide ; 

4  If  thou  wilt  spread  thy  shield  around, 

Till  these  our  wand'rings  cease, 
And  at  our  Father's  loved  abode 
Our  souls  arrive  in  peace ; 

5  To  thee,  as  to  our  cov'nant-God, 

We'll  our  whole  selves  resign, 
And  thankful  own  that  all  we  are 
And  all  we  have  is  thine. 

300  C*  M*  Select  Col. 

Aspirations  after  the  Christian  Temper. 

1  Almighty  Maker,  Lord  of  all, 
Of  life  the  only  Spring, 

247 


300  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

Creator  of  unnumber'd  worlds, 
Supreme,  eternal  King, 

2  Drive  from  the  confines  of  my  heart 

Impenitence  and  pride, 
Nor  let  me  in  forbidden  paths 
With  thoughtless  sinners  glide. 

3  Whate'er  thine  all-discerning  eye 

Sees  for  thy  creature  fit, 
I'll  bless  the  good,  and  to  the  ill 
Resignedly  submit, 

4  With  gen'rous  pleasure  let  me  view 

The  prosp'rous  and  the  great  ; 
Malignant  envy  let  me  fly, 
And  odious  self-conceit. 

5  Let  not  despair  nor  fell  revenge 

Be  to  my  bosom  known ; 
O  give  me  tears  for  others'  woes, 
And  patience  for  my  own. 

6  Feed  me  with  necessary  food ; 

I  ask  not  wealth  or  fame ; 

Give  me  an  eye  to  see  thy  will, 

A  heart  to  bless  thy  name. 

7  May  still  my  days  serenely  pass 

Without  remorse  or  care, 
And  growing  holiness  my  soul 
For  life's  last  hour  prepare. 

248 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  301,  302 


301  S.  M.  Patrick. 

Virtuous  Desires. 

God,  who  is  just  and  kind, 
Will  those  who  err  instruct, 
And  to  the  paths  of  righteousness 
Their  wand'ring  steps  conduct. 

The  humble  soul  he  guides, 
Teaches  the  meek  his  way, 
Kindness  and  truth  he  shows  to  all 
Who  him  in  truth  obey. 

Give  me  the  tender  heart 
That  mixes  fear  with  love, 
And  lead  me  through  whatever  path 
Thy  wisdom  shall  approve. 

O  ever  keep  my  soul 
From  error,  shame,  and  guilt, 
Nor  suffer  the  fair  hope  to  fail 
Which  on  thy  truth  is  built. 

302  C-  M-  Watts. 

Desire  of  Virtue. 

O  that  the  Lord  would  guide  my  ways 

To  keep  his  statutes  still ; 
O  that  my  God  would  grant  me  grace 

To  know  and  do  his  will ! 

Order  my  footsteps  by  thy  word, 

And  make  my  heart  sincere : 
Let  sin  have  no  dominion,  Lord, 

But  keep  my  conscience  clear. 

249 


303  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

3  Assist  my  soul,  too  apt  to  stray, 

A  stricter  watch  to  keep ; 
And  since  I've  not  forgot  thy  way, 
Restore  thy  wand'ring  sheep. 

4  Make  me  to  walk  in  thy  commands ; 

'Tis  a  delightful  road ; 
Nor  let  my  head  or  heart  or  hands 
Offend  against  my  God. 

303  C-  M-  Watts. 

Desire  of  Knowledge. 

1  Thy  mercies  fill  the  earth,  O  Lord  ; 

How  good  thy  works  appear ! 
Open  my  eyes  to  read  thy  word, 
And  see  thy  wonders  there. 

2  My  heart  was  fashion'd  by  thy  hand  ; 

My  service  is  thy  due ; 
O  make  thy  servant  understand 
The  duties  he  must  do. 

3  Since  I'm  a  stranger  here  below, 

Let  not  thy  path  be  hid ; 
But  mark  the  road  my  feet  should  go, 
And  be  my  constant  guide. 

4  If  God  to  me  his  statutes  show, 

And  heav'nly  truth  impart, 
His  work  for  ever  I'll  pursue, 
His  law  shall  rule  my  heart. 

5  This  was  my  comfort  when  I  bore 

Variety  of  grief; 

250 


GOOD    RESOLUTIONS.  304,  305 

It  made  me  prize  thy  word  the  more, 
And  fly  to  that  relief 


UQzj.  L.  M.  Merrick. 

Desire  of  Instruction. 

1  Teach  me,  O  teach  me,  Lord,  thy  way, 
That  to  my  life's  remotest  day, 

By  thy  unerring  precepts  led, 

My  feet  thy  heav'nly  paths  may  tread. 

2  Inform'd  by  thee,  with  sacred  awe 
My  heart  shall  meditate  thy  law, 
And  with  celestial  wisdom  fiLVd, 
To  thee  a  pure  obedience  yield. 

3  Give  me  to  know  thy  will  aright, 
Thy  will,  my  glory  and  delight ; 
That  raised  above  the  world,  my  mind 
In  thee  its  highest  good  may  find. 

4  O  turn  from  vanity  mine  eye ; 

To  me  thy  quick'ning  strength  supply ; 
And  with  thy  promised  mercy  cheer 
A  heart  devoted  to  thy  fear. 

305  c- M-  Cappe's  Sel. 

Prayer  for  Spiritual  and  Eternal  Blessi?igs. 

1  Eternal  Source  of  life  and  light, 
Supremely  good  and  wise, 
To  thee  we  bring  our  grateful  vows, 
To  thee  lift  up  our  eyes. 

251 


306  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

2  Our  dark  and  erring  minds  illume 

With  truth's  celestial  rays ; 
Inspire  our  hearts  with  sacred  love, 
And  tune  our  lips  to  praise. 

3  Safely  conduct  us  by  thy  grace 

Through  life's  perplexing  road, 
To  pleasures  which  forever  flow 
At  thy  right  hand,  O  God. 


306  C-  M-  Salisbury  Col. 

Divine  Influence. 

1  Thine  influence,  mighty  God,  is  felt 

Through  nature's  ample  round ; 
In  heav'n,  on  earth,  through  air  and  skies. 
Thine  energy  is  found. 

2  Father  of  lights,  thine  aid  dispense 

To  guide  our  doubtful  way ; 
Thy  truth  shall  scatter  ev'ry  cloud 
And  make  a  glorious  day. 

3  Supported  by  thy  heav'nly  grace, 

We'll  do  and  bear  thy  will ; 
Thy  grace  shall  make  each  burden  light, 
And  ev'ry  murmur  still. 

4  Cheer'd  by  thy  smiles,  we'll  fearless  tread 

The  gloomy  path  of  death ; 
And  with  the  hope  of  endless  bliss, 
Resign  to  thee  our  breath. 

252 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  307,  308 

30?  L- M-  H- M- 

Heavenly  Guidance  implored. 

1  Amidst  a  world  of  hopes  and  fears, 
A  wild  of  cares  and  toils  and  tears, 
Where  foes  alarm  and  dangers  threat, 
And  pleasures  kill  and  glories  cheat, 

2  Shed  down,  O  Lord,  a  heav'nly  ray 
To  guide  me  in  the  doubtful  way, 
And  o'er  me  hold  thy  shield  of  power, 
To  guard  me  in  the  dang'rous  hour. 

3  Teach  me  the  flatt'ring  paths  to  shun 
In  which  the  thoughtless  many  run, 
Who  for  a  shade  the  substance  miss, 
And  grasp  their  ruin  in  their  bliss. 

4  May  never  pleasure,  wealth  or  pride, 
Allure  my  wand 'ring  soul  aside ; 
But  through  this  maze  of  mortal  ill, 
Safe  lead  me  to  thy  heav'nly  hill. 

308  C- M-  Watts. 

Christian  Zeal  and  Diligence. 

1  Are  not  thy  mercies  sov'reign  still, 

And  thou  a  faithful  God  ? 
Wilt  thou  not  grant  me  warmer  zeal 
To  run  the  heav'nly  road  ? 

2  I  need  the  influence  of  thy  grace 

To  speed  me  in  thy  way, 
Lest  I  should  loiter  in  my  race 
Or  turn  my  feet  astray. 

W  253 


309  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

3  Does  not  my  heart  thy  precepts  love, 

And  long  to  see  thy  face  ? 
And  yet  how  slow  my  spirits  move, 
Without  enliv'ning  grace ! 

4  Then  shall  I  love  thy  gospel  more, 

And  ne'er  forget  thy  word, 
When  I  have  felt  its  quick'ning  power 
To  draw  me  near  the  Lord. 


g09  C-  M-  Watts. 

Virtuous  Resolutions. 

1  O  that  thy  statutes  ev'ry  hour 

May  dwell  upon  my  mind ! 
Thence  I  derive  a  quick'ning  power. 
And  daily  peace  I  find. 

2  To  meditate  thy  precepts,  Lord, 

Shall  he  my  sweet  employ ; 
My  soul  shall  ne'er  forget  thy  word ; 
Thy  word  is  all  my  joy. 

3  How  would  I  run  in  thy  commands, 

If  thou  my  heart  discharge 
From  vice  and  passion's  hateful  bands, 
And  set  my  feet  at  large ! 

4  My  lips  with  courage  shall  declare 

Thy  statutes  and  thy  name, 
Whatever  loss  or  scorn  I  hear, 
Nor  yield  to  sinful  shame. 

5  Depart  from  me,  ye  wicked  race, 

Whose  hands  and  hearts  are  ill ; 

254 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  310,  311 

I  love  my  God,  I  love  his  ways, 
And  must  obey  his  will. 

310  C.  M.  Watts. 
Parting  with  Worldly  Joys. 

1  My  soul  forsakes  each  vain  delight, 

And  bids  the  world  adieu  : 
How  mean  thy  boasted  joys  appear, 
And  full  of  danger  too  ! 

2  No  longer  will  I  ask  your  love, 

Nor  seek  your  friendship  more ; 
The  happiness  that  I  approve 
Is  not  within  your  power. 

3  There's  nothing  round  this  spacious  earth 

That  suits  my  large  desire ; 
To  nobler  and  more  lasting  joys 

My  rising  thoughts  aspire  : 

4  Where  pleasure  rolls  its  living  flood, 

From  sin  and  sense  refined, 
Still  springing  from  the  throne  of  God 
To  cheer  th'  enraptured  mind. 

311  L.  M.  Watts. 

Devout  Profession  of  Sincerity. 

1  Let  sorrow,  Lord,  my  bosom  fill, 

When  impious  men  transgress  thy  will ; 
Teach  me  to  mourn  when  lips  profane 
Take  thy  tremendous  name  in  vain. 

•2  With  indignation  may  I  treat 
The  works  of  malice  and  deceit  ; 

255 


312  DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 

And  ever  from  their  friendship  flee 
Who  dare  to  scorn  thy  laws  and  thee. 

3  Lord,  search  my  soul,  try  ev'ry  thought ; 
If  my  own  heart  accuse  me  not 

Of  walking  in  a  vain  disguise, 
I  seek  the  trial  of  thine  eyes. 

4  Doth  secret  mischief  lurk  within  ? 
Do  I  indulge  some  unknown  sin  ? 
O  turn  my  feet  whene'er  I  stray, 
And  lead  me  in  thy  perfect  way. 

*JX2  C-  M-  Doddridge. 

The  Heart  laid  open  before  God. 

1  Searcher  of  hearts,  before  thy  face 

I  all  my  soul  display ; 
And  conscious  of  its  innate  arts, 
Entreat  thy  strict  survey. 

2  If  lurking  in  its  inmost  folds 

I  any  sin  conceal, 
O  let  a  ray  of  light  divine 
The  secret  guile  reveal. 

3  If  in  these  fatal  fetters  bound, 

A  wretched  slave  I  lie, 
Smite  off  my  chains,  and  wake  my  soul 
To  light  and  liberty. 

4  To  humble  penitence  and  prayer 

Be  gentle  pity  given ; 
Speak  ample  pardon  to  my  heart, 
And  seal  its  claim  to  heav'n. 

25G 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  313 

UJO  C.  M.  Watts. 

Professions  of  Sincerity,  Repentayice  and  Obedience. 

1  Thou  art  my  portion,  O  my  God, 

Soon  as  I  know  thy  way 
My  heart  makes  haste  t>  obey  thy  word, 
And  suffers  no  delay. 

2  I  choose  the  path  of  heav'nly  truth, 

And  glory  in  my  choice ; 
Not  all  the  riches  of  the  earth 
Could  make  me  so  rejoice. 

3  The  testimonies  of  thy  grace 

I  set  before  mine  eyes ; 
Thence  I  derive  my  daily  strength, 
And  there  my  comfort  lies. 

4  Whene'er  I  wander  from  thy  path, 

I  think  upon  my  ways ; 
Then  turn  my  feet  to  thy  commands, 
And  trust  thy  pard'ning  grace. 

5  Now  I  am  thine,  for  ever  thine ; 

O  save  thy  servant,  Lord, 
Thou  art  my  shield,  my  hiding-place, 
My  hope  is  in  thy  word. 

6  Thou  hast  inclined  this  heart  of  mine 

Thy  statutes  to  fulfil ; 
And  thus  till  mortal  life  shall  end 
Would  I  perform  thy  will. 

w*  257 


314,  315       DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND 


gjzj.  S.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Living  Sacrifice. 

1  And  will  the  eternal  King 
So  mean  a  gift  reward  ? 

That  off'ring,  Lord,  with  joy  we  bring, 
Which  thy  own  hand  prepared. 

2  We  own  thy  various  claim, 
And  to  thine  altar  move, 

The  willing  victims  of  thy  grace, 
And  bound  with  cords  of  love. 

3  Descend,  celestial  fire, 
The  sacrifice  inflame ; 

So  shall  a  grateful  odor  rise 

Through  our  Redeemer's  name. 

315  C.  M.  Watts. 

Holy  Fear,  and  Tenderness  of  Conscience. 

1  With  my  whole  heart  I've  sought  thy  face; 

O  let  me  never  stray 
From  thy  commands,  O  God  of  grace, 
Nor  tread  the  sinner's  way. 

2  Thy  word  I've  hid  within  my  heart, 

To  keep  me  pure  within, 
And  be  an  everlasting  guard 
From  ev'ry  rising  sin. 

3  My  God,  I  long,  I  hope,  I  wait 

For  thy  salvation  still ; 
While  thy  whole  law  is  my  delight, 
And  I  obey  thy  will. 

258 


GOOD  RESOLUTIONS.  316 

3£@  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Wandering  Sheep  Recovered. 

1  Lord,  we  have  wander 'd  from  thy  way, 
Like  foolish  sheep  have  gone  astray, 
Our  pleasant  pastures  we  have  left, 
And  of  their  guard  our  souls  bereft : 

2  Exposed  to  want,  exposed  to  harm, 
Far  from  our  gentle  shepherd's  arm  ; 
Nor  will  these  fatal  wand' rings  cease, 
Till  thou  reveal  the  paths  of  peace. 

3  O  seek  thy  thoughtless  servants,  Lord, 
Nor  let  us  quite  forget  thy  word ; 
Our  erring  feet  do  thou  restore, 

And  keep  us  that  we  stray  no  more. 


PART   XI. 

MOTIVES  TO  A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT. 


3J»y  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Value  of  the  Knowledge  of  God. 

1  Shine  forth,  Eternal  Source  of  light, 

And  make  thy  glories  known ; 
Fill  our  enlarged,  adoring  sight, 
With  lustre  all  thy  own. 

2  Vain  are  the  charms  and  faint  the  rays 

The  brightest  creatures  boast, 
And  all  their  grandeur  and  their  praise 
Are  in  thy  presence  lost. 

3  To  know  the  Author  of  our  frame 

Is  our  sublimest  skill ; 

True  science  is  to  learn  his  name. 

True  life  to  do  his  will. 

$ 

4  For  this  I  long,  for  this  I  pray ; 

This  let  me  still  pursue, 
Till  visions  of  eternal  day 
Fix  and  complete  the  view. 

2G0 


MOTIVES  TO  A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.       318,  319 

31g  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Pearl  of  Great  Price. 

1  Ye  glitt'ring  toys  of  earth,  adieu  : 

A  nobler  choice  be  mine ; 
A  real  prize  attracts  my  view, 
A  treasure  all  divine. 

2  Begone,  unworthy  of  my  cares, 

Ye  specious  baits  of  sense  ; 
Inestimable  worth  appears, 
The  pearl  of  price  immense. 

3  Should  both  the  Indies  at  my  call 

Their  boasted  stores  resign, 
With  joy  I  would  renounce  them  all 
To  make  this  jewel  mine. 

4  Should  earth's  vain  treasures  all  depart, 

Of  such  a  gift  possessed, 
I'd  clasp  it  to  my  joyful  heart, 
And  be  for  ever  bless'd. 


319  P-  M.  H.  M. 

Unfading  Beauty. 

1  All  earthly  charms,  however  dear, 
Howe'er  they  please  the  eye  or  ear, 
Will  quickly  fade  and  fly ; 

Of  earthly  glory  faint  the  blaze, 

And  soon  the  transitory  rays 
In  endless  darkness  die. 

261 


320,  321  MOTIVES  TO 

2  The  nobler  beauties  of  the  just 
Shall  never  moulder  in  the  dust 

Or  know  a  sad  decay ; 
Their  honors  time  and  death  defy, 
And  round  the  throne  of  heav'n  on  high 
Beam  everlasting  day. 


320  C.  M.  Watts. 

Voluntary  Obedience. 

1  Not  by  the  terrors  of  a  slave 

Thy  sons  perform  thy  will ; 
But  with  the  noblest  pow'rs  they  have, 
Thy  blest  commands  fulfil. 

2  They  find  access  at  ev'ry  hour 

To  God  within  the  veil ; 
Hence  they  derive  a  quick'ning  pow'r, 
And  joys  that  never  fail. 

3  O  happy  men,  O  glorious  state 

Of  thy  abounding  grace ; 
To  dwell  so  near  their  Father's  seat, 
And  see  his  blissful  face ! 


321  C.  M.  Watts. 

Progressive  Virtue. 

Mere  human  pow'rs  shall  fast  decay, 

And  youthful  vigor  cease ; 
But  those  who  wait  upon  the  Lord, 

In  strength  shall  still  increase. 

262 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  322,  323 

2  They  with  unwearied  feet  shall  tread 

The  path  of  life  divine ; 
With  growing  ardor  onward  move, 
With  growing  brightness  shine. 

3  On  eagles'  wings  they  mount,  they  soar, 

The  wings  of  faith  and  love, 
Till  past  the  cloudy  regions  here, 
They  rise  to  heav'n  above. 

322  c- M- 

Happiness  seated  in  the  Mind. 

1  In  vain,  alas,  from  shore  to  shore, 

In  search  of  bliss  we  roam, 
In  strange  delights  abroad  explore  ; 
Our  best  reside  at  home. 

2  Within  the  just  and  pious  heart 

Our  truest  joy  we  find, 
Which  calm  and  sweet  repose  impart. 
And  leave  no  sting  behind. 

323  c-  M-  Mrs-  Steele. 

Religion  the  JVay  to  Happiness. 

1  O  happiness,  thou  pleasing  dream, 

Where  is  thy  substance  found  ? 
Sought  through  the  varying  scenes  in  vain 
Of  earth's  capacious  round. 

2  Religion's  sacred  lamp  alone 

Unerring  points  the  way, 
Where  happiness  for  ever  shines 
With  unpolluted  ray : 

263 


324,  325  motives  to 

3  To  regions  of  eternal  peace, 
Beyond  the  starry  skies, 
Where  pure,  sublime  and  perfect  joys 
In  endless  prospect  rise. 

324  C*  M'  Heginbotham. 

Virtue  the  Source  of  Peace. 

1  Forsake,  my  soul,  the  tents  of  sin ; 

How  false  her  joys  appear  ! 
Noise  and  confusion  dwell  within ; 
Peace  is  a  stranger  there. 

2  The  men  who  keep  the  laws  of  God, 

His  choicest  blessings  share ; 
Or  if  he  lifts  his  chast'ning  rod, 
'Tis  with  a  Father's  care. 

3  His  mighty  pow'r  shall  guard  the  just, 

His  wisdom  point  their  way, 
His  eye  shall  watch  their  sleeping  dust, 
His  hand  revive  their  clay. 

4  O  then  begin  the  joyful  task, 

His  praise  employ  your  tongue ; 
And  soon  eternity  will  ask 
A  more  exalted  song. 

325  P-  M*  Mrs'  Masters. 

The  Pleasures  of  Religion. 

1  'Tis  religion  that  can  give 

Sweetest  pleasures  while  we  live ; 
'Tis  religion  must  supply 
Solid  comforts  when  we  die. 

264 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  326 

After  death  its  joys  will  be 
Lasting  as  eternity  : 
Let  me  then  make  God  my  friend, 
And  on  all  his  ways  attend. 

326  S-  M-  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

Come,  ye  who  love  the  Lord, 
And  let  your  joys  be  known :  . 
Join  in  a  song  of  sweet  accord, 
And  thus  approach  his  throne. 

The  sorrows  of  the  mind 
Be  banish' d  from  this  place ; 
Religion  never  was  design'd 
To  make  our  pleasures  less. 

Th'  eternal  God  is  ours, 
The  God  whose  name  is  Love ; 
He  will  send  down  his  quick'ning  pow'rs 
To  carry  us  above. 

There  shall  we  see  his  face, 
And  never  more  shall  sin ; 
There,  from  the  rivers  of  his  grace, 
Drink  endless  pleasures  in. 

The  sons  of  God  have  found 
Glory  begun  below ; 
Celestial  fruits  on  earthly  ground, 
From  faith  and  hope  may  grow. 

Then  let  our  joys  increase, 
And  ev'ry  tear  be  dry, 

X  265 


327  MOTIVES  TO 

We're  traveling  through  the  paths  of  peace 
To  fairer  worlds  on  high. 


327  C-  M*  Mrs-  Steele. 

The  Comforts  of  Religion. 

1  When  gloomy  thoughts  and  boding  fears 

The  trembling  heart  invade, 
And  all  the  face  of  nature  wears 
An  universal  shade : 

2  Religion's  dictates  can  assuage 

The  tempest  of  the  soul, 
And  ev'ry  fear  shall  lose  its  rage 
At  her  divine  control. 

3  Through  life's  bewilder'd,  darksome  way. 

Her  hand  unerring  leads, 
And  o'er  the  path  her  heav'nly  ray 
A  cheering  lustre  sheds. 

4  When  feeble  reason,  tired  and  blind, 

Sinks  helpless  and  afraid, 
Thou  blest  supporter  of  the  mind, 
How  pow'rful  is  thine  aid ! 

5  O  let  my  heart  confess  thy  pow'r 

And  find  thy  sweet  relief, 
To  brighten  ev'ry  gloomy  hour 
And  soften  ev'ry  grief. 

266 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  328 

The  unrivalled  Beauty  and  Glory  of  Religion. 

Soft  are  the  fruitful  show'rs  that  "bring 
The  welcome  promise  of  the  spring, 

And  soft  the  vernal  gale ; 
Sweet  the  wild  warblings  of  the  grove, 
The  voice  of  nature  and  of  love, 

That  gladden  every  vale. 

But  softer  in  the  mourner's  ear 
Sounds  the  mild  voice  of  mercy  near, 

That  whispers  sins  forgiv'n ; 
And  sweeter  far  the  music  swells, 
When  to  the  raptured  soul  she  tells 

Of  peace  and  promised  heav'n. 

Fair  are  the  flow'rs  that  deck  the  ground, 
And  groves  and  gardens  blooming  round 

Unnumber'd  charms  unfold : 
Bright  is  the  sun's  meridian  ray, 
And  bright  the  beams  of  setting  day 

That  robe  the  clouds  in  gold. 

But  far  more  fair  the  pious  breast, 
In  richer  robes  of  goodness  drest, 

Where  heav'n's  own  graces  shine ; 
And  brighter  far  the  prospects  rise 
That  burst  on  faith's  delighted  eyes 

From  glories  all  divine. 

267 


329  MOTIVES  TO 

329  L.  M.  Cotton. 

A  Good  Conscience  the  best  Support. 

1  While  some  in  folly's  pleasures  roll, 
And  court  the  joys  which  hurt  the  soul, 
Be  mine  that  silent  calm  repast, 

A  peaceful  conscience  to  the  last : 

2  That  tree  which  bears  immortal  fruit, 
Without  a  canker  at  the  root ; 

That  friend  who  never  fails  the  just 
When  other  friends  betray  their  trust. 

3  With  this  companion  in  the  shade, 
My  soul  no  more  shall  be  dismay'd, 
But  fearless  meet  the  midnight  gloom, 
And  the  pale  monarch  of  the  tomb. 

4  Though  heav'n  afflict,  I'll  not  repine  ; 
The  noblest  comforts  still  are  mine, 
Comforts  which  over  death  prevail, 
And  journey  with  me  through  the  vale. 

5  Amidst  the  various  scene  of  ills, 
Each  stroke  some  kind  design  fulfils ; 
And  shall  I  murmur  at  my  God, 
When  love  supreme  directs  the  rod  ? 

G  His  hand  will  smooth  my  rugged  way, 
And  lead  me  to  the  realms  of  day, 
To  milder  skies  and  brighter  plains, 
Where  everlasting  pleasure  reigns. 

268 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  330,  331 

330  L*  M*  Butcher. 

A  Good  and  Evil  Conscience. 

1  A  wounded  conscience,  what  a  foe  ! 
It  poisons  every  bliss  below  : 

A  peaceful  conscience,  wdiat  a  friend ! 
It  leads  to  joys  that  never  end. 

2  Supported  by  an  honest  mind, 
What  rich  relief  can  mis'ry  find  ! 
How  doubly  joyful  is  success, 

When  conscience  ev'ry  step  can  bless ! 

3  Almighty  God,  thine  aid  we  pray 
To  guard  us  in  the  trying  day ; 
Wherever  duty  bids  us  go, 

A  smiling  conscience  may  we  know. 

331  C.  M.  Salisbury  Col. 
God  the  Christian's  Refuge. 

1  When   storms   hang   o'er   the    Christian's 

head, 
He  flies  unto  his  God, 
And  under  his  refreshing  shade 
Finds  a  secure  abode. 

2  When  foes  without  and  fears  within 

Seek  to  disturb  his  peace, 
To  God  he  makes  his  sorrows  known, 
And  straight  his  sorrows  cease. 

3  When  winds  of  strong  temptation  blow, 

And  floods  of  trouble  roll, 

x*  269 


332  MOTIVES  TO 

God  is  the  help  and  refuge  too 
Of  his  distressed  soul. 

4  But  when  tremendous  terrors  seize, 
Where  will  the  sinner  fly  ? 
He  feels  a  thousand  agonies, 
And  no  deliv'rer  nigh  ! 


332  S.  M.  Watts. 

Difference  between  the  Righteous  and  the  Wicked. 

The  man  is  ever  blest 
Who  shuns  the  sinners'  ways, 
Amongst  their  counsels  never  stands, 
Nor  takes  the  scorner's  place : 

But  makes  the  law  of  God 
His  study  and  delight 
Amidst  the  labours  of  the  day 
And  watches  of  the  night. 

He  like  a  tree  shall  thrive, 
With  waters  near  the  root, 
Fresh  as  the  leaf  his  name  shall  live, 
His  works  are  heav'nly  fruit. 

Not  so  tli'  ungodly  race, 
They  no  such  blessings  find ; 
Their  hopes  shall  fly  like  empty  chaff 
Before  the  driving  wind. 

God  knows  and  he  approves 
The  way  the  righteous  go, 

270 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  333,  334 

But  sinners  and  their  works  shall  meet 
A  dreadful  overthrow. 

3*53  L.  M.  Blacklock. 

The  same  subject. 

1  How  blest  the  man,  how  more  than  blest, 
Whose  heart  no  guilty  thoughts  employ ! 
God's  endless  sunshine  fills  his  breast, 
And  conscience  whispers  peace  and  joy. 

2  Pure  rectitude's  unerring  way 

His  heav'n-conducted  steps  pursue ; 
While  crowds  in  guilt  and  error  stray, 
Unstain'd  his  soul  and  bright  his  view. 

3  By  God's  almighty  arm  sustain'd, 
True  virtue  soon  or  late  shall  rise, 
Enjoy  her  conquest,  nobly  gain'd, 
And  share  the  triumph  of  the  skies. 

4  But  fools,  to  sacred  wisdom  blind, 
Who  vice's  tempting  call  obey, 

A  diff 'rent  fate  shall  quickly  find, 
To  ev'ry  storm  an  easy  prey. 

034  L.  M.  Watts. 

Tlie  Character  of  a  Good  Man. 

1  Who  shall  ascend  thy  heav'nly  place, 
Great  God,  and  dwell  before  thy  face? 
The  man  who  seeks  thy  will  to  know, 
And  humbly  walks  with  thee  below  : 

2  Whose  hands  are  pure,  whose  heart  is  clean, 
Whose  lips  still  speak  the  thing  they  mean; 

271 


335  MOTIVES  TO 

No  slanders  dwell  upon  his  tongue, 
Nor  will  he  do  his  neighbor  wrong. 

3  Firm  to  his  word  he  ever  stood, 
And  always  makes  his  promise  good ; 
Nor  dares  to  change  the  thing  he  swears, 
Whatever  pain  or  loss  he  bears. 

4  He  never  deals  in  bribing  gold, 

And  mourns  that  justice  should  be  sold ; 
While  others  gripe  and  grind  the  poor, 
Sweet  charity  attends  his  door. 

5  He  doth  to  all  men  still  the  same 

That  he  would  hope  or  wish  from  them  : 
This  is  the  man  thy  face  shall  see, 
And  dwell  for  ever,  Lord,  with  thee. 

335  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Character  and  Happiness  of  Good  Men. 

1  Th'  Almighty  reigns,  exalted  high 
O'er  all  the  earth,  o'er  all  the  sky  : 
Though  clouds  and  darkness  veil  his  feet, 
His  dwelling  is  the  mercy-seat. 

2  O  ye  that  love  his  holy  name, 
Hate  ev'ry  work  of  sin  and  shame ; 
He  guards  the  souls  of  all  his  friends, 
And  from  the  snares  of  vice  defends. 

3  Immortal  light  and  joys  unknown 
Are  for  the  just  in  darkness  sown ; 
Those  glorious  seeds  shall  spring  and  rise, 
And  the  bright  harvest  bless  our  eyes. 

272 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  336 

4  Rejoice,  ye  righteous,  and  record 
The  sacred  honors  of  the  Lord ; 
None  but  the  men  who  feel  his  grace 
Can  triumph  in  his  holiness. 

336  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Heaven  the  Reward  of  Virtuous  Exertions. 

1  There  is  a  glorious  world  on  high, 
Resplendent  with  eternal  day ; 
Faith  views  the  blissful  prospect  nigh, 
While  God's  own  word  reveals  the  way. 

2  There  shall  the  fav'rites  of  the  Lord 
With  never-fading  lustre  shine ; 
Surprising  honor,  vast  reward  ! 
Conferr'd  on  man,  hj  love  divine. 

3  How  blest  are  those,  how  truly  wise, 
Who  learn  and  keep  the  sacred  road ! 
Happy  the  men  whom  heav'n  employs 
To  turn  rebellious  hearts  to  God, 

4  To  win  them  from  the  fatal  way 
Where  erring  folly  thoughtless  roves, 
And  that  blest  righteousness  display 
Which  Jesus  taught  and  God  approves. 

5  The  shining  firmament  shall  fade, 
And  sparkling  stars  resign  their  light, 
But  these  shall  know  nor  change  nor  shade, 
For  ever  fair,  for  ever  bright'. 

6  On  wings  of  faith  and  strong  desire, 
O  may  our  spirits  daily  rise, 

273 


337,  338  motives  to 

And  reach  at  last  the  shining  choir, 
In  the  bright  mansions  of  the  skies. 

337  P.  M.  Walker's  Col. 

The  Voyage  of  Human  Life. 

1  The  man  whose  heart  from  vice  is  clear. 
Whose  deeds  are  honest  and  sincere, 

Whom  God  and  goodness  guide, 
With  cautious  circumspection  wise, 
The  rudest  storms  of  life  defies, 

And  stems  the  mighty  tide. 

2  He  hears  the  winds  tumultuous  rise 
In  adverse  combat  'midst  the  skies, 

But  hears  without  dismay ; 
His  pilot,  God,  the  vessel  guides, 
And  o'er  the  steady  helm  presides, 

And  points  the  destined  way. 

3  At  length  he  sees  the  promised  land, 
He  hails  aloud  the  wish'd-for  strand, 

With  heav'nly  joy  possest ; 
His  labor  past,  his  toil  now  o'er, 
He  lands,  O  Peace,  on  thy  fair  shore, 

And  in  his  God  is  blest. 

33§  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Reward  of  the  Righteous. 

1  My  God,  the  steps  of  pious  men 
Are  order'd  by  thy  will ; 
Though  they  should  fall,  they  rise  again, 
Thy  hand  supports  them  still. 

274 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  339 

2  The  Lord  delights  to  see  their  ways, 

Their  virtue  he  approves ; 
-He'll  ne'er  deprive  them  of  his  grace, 
Nor  leave  the  men  he  loves. 

3  The  heav'nly  heritage  is  theirs, 

Their  portion  and  their  home ; 
He  feeds  them  now,  and  makes  them  heirs 
Of  blessings  long  to  come. 

4  Mark  then  the  man  of  righteousness, 

His  sev'ral  steps  attend ; 
True  pleasure  runs  through  all  his  ways, 
And  peaceful  is  his  endv 

33f)  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  One  Thing  Needful. 

1  Why  will  you  waste  on  trifling  cares 
The  lives  divine  compassion  spares, 
While  in  the  various  range  of  thought 
The  one  thing  needful  is  forgot  ? 

2  Shall  God  invite  you  from  above, 
Shall  Jesus  urge  his  dying  love, 

Shall  troubled  conscience  give  you  pain, 
And  all  these  pleas  unite  in  vain  ? 

3  Not  so  your  eyes  will  always  view 
The  objects  which  you  now  pursue ; 
Not  so  eternity  appear 

When  death's  decisive  hour  is  near. 

4  Almighty  God,  thine  aid  impart 
To  fix  conviction  on  the  heart ; 

275 


340,  341  MOTIVES  TO 

Thy  light  can  clear  the  darkest  eyes, 
And  make  the  haughtiest  scorner  wise. 

340  k.  M.  Doddridge. 
The  Wise  Choice. 

1  Beset  with  snares  on  ev'ry  hand, 
In  life's  uncertain  path  I  stand ; 
Father  Divine,  diffuse  thy  light 

To  guide  my  doubtful  footsteps  right. 

2  Engage  this  frail,  this  wav'ring  heart, 
Wisely  to  choose  the  better  part, 

To  scorn  the  trifles  of  a  day, 
For  joys  that  never  fade  away. 

3  Then  let  the  wildest  storms  arise, 
Let  tempests  mingle  earth  and  skies, 
No  fatal  shipwreck  shall  I  fear, 

But  all  my  treasures  with  me  bear. 

4  If  thou,  my  Father,  still  be  nigh, 
Cheerful  I  live,  and  joyful  die ; 
Secure,  when  mortal  comforts  flee, 
We  find  ten  thousand  worlds  in  thee. 

341  C.  M.  Doddridge. 
Seeking  first  the  Kingdom  of  God, 

1  Now  let  a  true  ambition  rise 

And  ardor  fire  our  breast, 
To  reign  in  worlds  above  the  skies, 
In  heav'nly  glories  drest. 

2  Behold  Jehovah's  royal  hand 

A  radiant  crown  display, 

276 


A  VIRTUOUS  CONDUCT.  341 

Whose  gems  with,  vivid  lustre  shine 
While  suns  and  stars  decay. 

3  No  more  I  seek  for  transient  good, 

Nor  longer  call  it  mine ; 
I  spring  to  seize  superior  joys 
Immortal  and  divine. 

4  Ye  hearts  with  youthful  vigor  warm, 

The  glorious  prize  pursue ; 
Nor  shall  ye  want  the  goods  of  earth 
While  heav'n  is  kept  in  view. 

Y 


PART   XII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 


342  c*  M.  Liverpool  Col. 

The  Duties  of  Piety. 

1  My  soul,  before  thy  Maker  bow, 

His  wondrous  works  admire, 
Till  rev'rence  and  religious  awe 
Thine  inmost  thoughts  inspire. 

2  With  humble  trust  dismiss  thy  cares, 

And  on  his  love  depend ; 
Leave  him  to  manage  thine  affairs, 
To  him  thyself  commend. 

3  Let  high  esteem  affection  raise, 

Devotion  warm  thy  breast ; 
Let  thankful  love  excite  thy  praise ; 
In  him  alone  be  blest. 

4  To  him  thy  solemn  homage  pay, 

His  constant  aid  implore ; 
Give  thanks  for  mercies  ev'ry  day, 
And  thus  prepare  for  more. 

5  Without  reserve  to  him  submit, 

All  his  commands  fulfil ; 
Acknowledge  all  his  actions  fit, 
Nor  e'er  oppose  his  will. 

278 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      343,  344 

g^|*J  L.  M.  DODDRIDGB. 

Faith  in  the  Invisible  God. 

1  Eternal  and  immortal  King, 

Thy  peerless  splendors  none  can  bear, 
But  darkness  veils  seraphic  eyes 
When  God  with  all  his  glory's  there. 

2  Yet  faith  can  pierce  the  awful  gloom, 
The  great  Invisible  can  see, 

And  with  its  tremblings  mingle  joy, 
In  flx'd  regards,  great  God,  to  thee. 

3  Then  ev'ry  tempting  form  of  sin, 
Awed  by  thy  presence,  disappears, 
And  all  the  glowing  raptured  soul 
The  likeness  it  contemplates  wears, 

4  0  ever  conscious  to  my  heart, 
Witness  to  its  supreme  desire ; 
Behold  it  presses  on  to  thee, 

For  it  hath  caught  the  heav'nly  fire.. 

5  This  one  petition  would  it  urge, 
To  bear  thee  ever  in  its  sight, 

In  life,  in  death,  in  worlds  unknown, 
Its  only  portion  and  delight. 

34L4:  -k.  M.  Doddridge. 

God's  Name  the  Encouragement  of  Faith. 

1  Sing  to  the  Lord,  who  loud  proclaims 
His  various  and  his  saving  names  ; 
O  may  they  not  be  heard  alone, 
But  by  our  sure  experience  known. 

279 


345  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

2  Let  great  Jehovah  be  adored, 
Th'  eternal,  all-sufficient  Lord ; 

He  through  the  world  most  high  confess'd, 
By  whom  'twas  form'd  and  is  possess'd. 

3  Awake,  our  noblest  pow'rs,  to  bless 
The  God  of  Abr'am,  God  of  peace ; 
Now  by  a  dearer  title  known, 
Father  and  God  of  Christ  his  Son. 

4  Through  ev'ry  age  his  gracious  ear 
Is  open  to  his  servants'  prayer, 
Nor  can  one  humble  soul  complain 
That  it  hath  sought  its  God  in  vain. 

5  What  unbelieving  heart  shall  dare 
In  whispers  to  suggest  a  fear, 
While  still  he  owns  his  ancient  name, 
The  same  his  pow'r,  his  love  the  same  ? 

6  To  thee  our  souls  in  faith  arise, 
To  thee  we  lift  expecting  eyes, 
And  boldly  through  the  desert  tread, 

For  God  will  guard  where  God  shall  lead. 


345  C.  M.  Watts. 

Trust  in  God. 

Thy  judgments,  Lord,  are  deep  and  high. 

Unsearchable  thy  deeds, 
Thy  glory  spreads  beyond  the  sky. 

And  all  our  praise  exceeds. 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  346 

2  The  men  that  know  thy  name  will  trust 

In  thy  abundant  grace, 
For  thou  didst  ne'er  forsake  the  just 
Who  humbly  sought  thy  face. 

3  Salvation  to  the  Lord  belongs, 

His  arm  alone  can  save ; 
Blessings  attend  thy  people  here, 
And  reach  beyond  the  grave. 


34g  CM.  Watts. 

The  Divine  Power  and  Wisdom  a  Ground  of  Trust. 

1  Hast  thou  not  heard,  hast  thou  not  known 

That  firm  remains  on  high 
The  everlasting  throne  of  Him 
Who  form'd  the'  earth  and  sky  ? 

2  Art  thou  afraid  his  pow'r  shall  fail 

When  comes  thy  evil  day  ? 
And  can  an  all-creating  arm 
Grow  weary  or  decay  ? 

3  Supreme  in  wisdom  as  in  pow'r 

The  Rock  of  ages  stands ; 
Though  him  thou  canst  not  see,  nor  trace 
The  working  of  his  hands. 

4  He  gives  the  conquest  to  the  weak, 

Supports  the  fainting  heart, 
And  courage  in  the  evil  hour 
His  heav'nly  aids  impart, 

v*  281 


347,  348      THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

34.^  C.  M.  Watts. 

Trust  in  the  Divine  Goodness. 

1  I  to  my  God  my  ways  commit, 

And  cheerful  wait  his  will ; 
Thy  hand,  which  guides  my  doubtful  feet, 
Shall  my  desires  fulfil. 

2  All  my  desires  to  thee  are  known, 

Thine  eye  counts  ev'ry  tear, 
And  ev'ry  sigh  and  ev'ry  groan 
Is  noticed  by  thine  ear. 

3  Mine  innocence  wilt  thou  display, 

And  make  thy  judgments  known, 
Fair  as  the  light  of  dawning  day, 
And  glorious  as  the  noon. 

4  The  meek  at  last  the  earth  possess. 

And  are  the  heirs  of  heav'n ; 
True  riches,  with  abundant  peace. 
To  humble  souls  are  given. 

34$  L.  M.  Watts. 

Confidence  in  the  Promises  of  God. 

1  Praise,  everlasting  praise,  be  paid 
To  him  who  earth's  foundation  laid ; 
Praise  to  the  God  whose  sov'reign  will 
All  nature's  laws  and  pow'rs  fulfil. 

2  Praise  to  the  goodness  of  the  Lord, 
Who  rules  his  people  by  his  word, 
Where  faith  contemplates  his  decrees, 
And  ev'ry  gracious  promise  sees. 

282 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  349 

3  O  for  a  strong  and  lasting  faith, 
To  credit  what  th'  Almighty  saith, 
T'  embrace  the  message  of  his  Son, 
And  call  the  joys  of  heav'n  our  own. 

4  Then  should  the  earth's  vast  pillars  shake, 
And  all  the  wheels  of  nature  break, 

Our  steady  souls  should  fear  no  more 
Than  solid  rocks  when  billows  roar. 

5  Our  everlasting  hopes  arise 
Above  the  perishable  skies, 

And  firm  their  basis  shall  remain 
When  these  to  chaos  sink  again. 

349  C.  M.  Merrick. 

Trust  in  God,  under  the  Trials  of  Virtue. 

1  O  how  my  fears  the  dangers  move 

That  virtue's  paths  inclose  ! 
While  I  the  wise  pursuit  approve, 
Alas,  what  toils  oppose  ! 

2  For  see,  ah  see,  while  yet  her  ways 

With  doubtful  step  I  tread, 
A  hostile  world  its  terrors  raise, 
Its  snares  delusive  spread. 

3  O  how  shall  I  with  heart  prepared 

Those  terrors  learn  to  meet ; 
How  from  the  thousand  snares  to  guard, 
And  to  restrain  my  feet  ? 

4  But  why  art  thou  cast  down,  my  soul  ? 

Say  why,  distrustful  still, 

283 


350  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Thy  thoughts  with  vain  impatience  roll 
O'er  scenes  of  future  ill? 

5  Let  faith  suppress  each  rising  fear, 

Each  anxious  doubt  exclude ; 
Thy  Maker's  will  hath  placed  thee  here, 
Thy  Maker  wise  and  good. 

6  He  to  thy  ev'ry  trial  knows 

Its  just  restraints  to  give, 
Attentive  to  behold  thy  woes, 
And  faithful  to  relieve. 

7  Though   griefs    unnumber'd    throng   thee 

round, 
Still  in  thy  God  confide, 
Whose  finger  marks  the  seas  their  bound, 
And  curbs  the  headlong  tide. 

350  9?  M.  Jervis. 

Confidence  in  God, 

1  Great  God,  thine  attributes  divine, 

Thy  glorious  works  and  ways, 
The  wonders  of  thy  pow'r  and  might, 
The  universe  displays. 

2  In  safety  may  thy  children  rest 

On  thy  sustaining  arm, 
Extended  still,  and  strong  to  save 
From  danger  and  alarm. 

3  O  may  thy  gracious  presence,  Lord, 

Chase  anxious  fears  away, 
Amidst  the  ruins  of  the  world 
Our  guardian  and  our  stay. 

284 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  351 

35X  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Glorying  in  God  Alone. 

1  The  righteous  Lord,  supremely  great, 
Maintains  his  universal  state, 

O'er  all  the  earth  his  pow'r  extends. 
All  heav'n  before  his  footstool  bends. 

2  Yet  justice  still  with  pow'r  presides, 
And  mercy  all  his  empire  guides ; 
Such  works  are  pleasing  in  his  sight. 
And  such  the  men  of  his  delight. 

3  No  more,  ye  wise,  your  wisdom  boast, 
No  more,  ye  strong,  your  valour  trust, 
Nor  let  the  rich  survey  his  store, 
Replete  with  heaps  of  shining  ore. 

4  Glory,  my  soul,  in  this  alone, 

That  God,  thy  God,  to  thee  is  known, 
That  thou  hast  own'd  his  sov'reign  sway, 
That  thou  hast  felt  his  cheering  ray. 

5  My  wisdom,  wealth  and  pow'r  I  find 
In  one  Jehovah  all  combined  ; 

On  him  I  fix. my  roving  eyes, 
Till  all  my  soul  in  rapture  rise. 

6  All  else  which  I  my  treasure  call, 
May  in  one  fatal  moment  fall ; 
But  what  his  happiness  can  move 
Whom  God  the  blessed  deigns  to  love  ? 

285 


352  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

392  C*  M*  Mrs"  Steele- 

Confidence  in  God  our  Father. 

1  My  God,  my  Father,  cheering  name  ! 

0  may  I  call  thee  mine  ? 

Give  me  with  humble  hope  to  claim    . 
A  portion  so  divine. 

2  This  only  can  my  fears  control 

And  bid  my  sorrows  fly ; 
What  real  harm  can  reach  my  soul 
Beneath  my  Father's  eye  ? 

3  Whate'er  thy  providence  denies 

1  calmly  would  resign, 

For  thou  art  just  and  good  and  wise  : 
O  bend  my  will  to  thine. 

4  Whate'er  thy  sov'reign  will  ordains, 

O  give  me  strength  to  bear ; 
Still  let  me  know  a  Father  reigns, 
And  trust  a  Father's  care. 

5  If  pain  and  sickness  rend  this  frame, 

And  life  almost  depart, 
Is  not  thy  mercy  still  the  same 
To  cheer  my  drooping  heart  ? 

6  Thy  ways,  great  God,  are  little  known 

To  my  weak,  erring  sight ; 
Yet  shall  my  soul  believing  own 
That  all  thy  ways  are  right. 

7  My  God,  my  Father,  blissful  name ! 

Beyond  expression  dear, 

286 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.       353,  354 

If  thou  admit  my  humble  claim, 
I  bid  adieu  to  fear. 

353  L.  M.  Browne. 

Dependence  upon  Providence. 

1  Great  Lord  of  earth  and  seas  and  skies, 
Thy  wealth  the  needy  world  supplies, 
And  safe  beneath  thy  guardian  arm 
We  live  secured  from  ev'ry  harm. 

2  To  thee  perpetual  thanks  we  owe 
For  all  our  comforts  here  below ; 
Our  daily  bread  thy  bounty  gives, 
And  ev'ry  rising  want  relieves. 

3  To  thee  we  cheerful  homage  bring, 
In  grateful  hymns  thy  praises  sing, 
On  thee  we  ever  will  depend, 

The  rich,  the  sure,  the  faithful  friend. 

4  And  should  thy  measures  seem  severe, 
Calmly  may  we  thy  chast'ning  bear ; 
Without  complaint  to  thee  submit, 
Th'  unerring  judge  of  what  is  fit. 

3541  C*  M*  Merrick. 

Acquiescence  in  the  Will  of  God. 

1  Author  of  good,  we  rest  on  thee  ; 

Thine  ever  watchful  eye 

Alone  our  real  wants  can  see, 

Thy  hand  alone  supply. 

2  O  let  thy  pow'r  within  us  dwell, 

Thy  love  our  footsteps  guide ; 

287 


355  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

That  love  shall  vainer  loves  expel, 
That  fear,  all  fears  beside. 

3  And  since,  by  passion's  force  subdued, 

Too  oft  with  stubborn  will 
We  blindly  shun  the  latent  good 
And  grasp  the  specious  ill ; 

4  Not  what  we  wish,  but  what  we  want, 

Let  mercy  still  supply  : 
The  good  unask'd  let  mercy  grant, 
The  ill  though  ask'd  deny. 

355  c.  m.  Cowper. 

Submission. 

1  O  Lord,  my  best  desires  fulfil, 

And  help  me  to  resign 
Life,  health  and  comfort  to  thy  will, 
And  make  thy  pleasure  mine. 

2  Why  should  I  shrink  at  thy  command, 

Whose  love  forbids  my  fears  ? 
Or  tremble  at  thy  gracious  hand, 
That  wipes  away  my  tears  ? 

3  No,  let  me  rather  freely  yield 

What  most  I  prize  to  thee, 
Who  never  hast  a  good  withheld 
Or  wilt  withhold  from  me. 

4  Wisdom  and  mercy  guide  my  way ; 

Shall  I  resist  them  both  ? 
Short-sighted  creature  of  a  day, 
And  crush'd  before  the  moth. 

288 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      356,  357 

5  But  ah,  my  heart  within  me  cries, 
Still  bind  me  to  thy  sway, 
Else  the  next  cloud  that  veils  the  skies 
Drives  all  these  thoughts  away. 

f55g     "  C.  M.  Watts. 

Love  to  God. 

1  Where  love  and  all  the  graces  reign 

The  mind  is  truly  blest, 
For  love,  the  noblest  of  the  train, 
Aids  and  exalts  the  rest. 

2  Knowledge,  alas,  'tis  all  in  vain, 

And  all  in  vain  our  fear ; 
Rude  passions  will  their  sway  maintain 
If  love  be  absent  there. 

3  'Tis  love  that  makes  our  willing  feet 

In  swift  obedience  move ; 
This  is  the  grace  that  lives  and  reigns 
In  the  bright  realms  above. 


£55^  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Gratitude. 

1  Lord,  when  my  thoughts  delighted  rove 
Amidst  the  wonders  of  thy  love, 
Sweet  hope  revives  my  drooping  heart, 
And  bids  my  fears  and  doubts  depart. 

2  Be  all  my  heart  and  all  my  ways 
Devoted  to  thy  fervent  praise, 

Z  289 


358,  359      THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

And  let  my  glad  obedience  prove 
How  much  I  owe,  how  much  I  love. 

35g  C.  M.  Jervis. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Great  Source  of  all  that  we  enjoy, 

From  whom  our  comforts  flow, 
To  thee,  who  dost  our  souls  reclaim, 
Eternal  thanks  we  owe. 

2  Though  the  vast  debt  we  ne'er  can  pay 

Of  gratitude  and  love, 
Yet  grant  us,  Lord,  thine  aid  divine, 
Thy  goodness  to  improve. 

3  Be  this  on  earth  our  chief  delight, 

Our  feeble  songs  to  join; 
In  heav'n  we'll  celebrate  thy  praise 
In  anthems  more  divine. 

359  L.  M.  Watts. 

Love  to  God  and  Man. 

1  Thus  saith  the  first,  the  great  command  : 
Let  all  thy  inward  pow'rs  unite 
To  love  thy  Maker  and  thy  God 
With  utmost  vigor  and  delight. 

Z  Then  shall  thy  neighbor  next  in  place 
Share  thy  affections  and  esteem, 
And  let  thy  wishes  for  thyself 
Measure  and  rule  thy  love  to  him. 

3  Alas,  how  base  our  passions  arc  ! 
How  cold  our  charity  and  zeal ! 

290 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      360,  361 

Lord,  warm  our  souls  with  heav'nly  fire,^ 
And  mould  our  spirits  to  thy  will. 

360  C-  M*  Edinburgh  Col. 
Charity  Essential  to  the  Christian  Character. 

1  Though  perfect  eloquence  adorn'd 

The  sweet  persuasive  tongue, 
Though  I  could  speak  in  higher  strains 
Than  ever  angels  sung  : 

2  Though  prophecy  my  soul  inspired. 

And.  made  all  myst'ries  plain, 
Yet  were  I  void  of  christian  love, 
These  gifts  were  all  in  vain. 

3  Although  with  lib'ral  hands  I  gave 

My  goods  the  poor  to  feed, 
Or  gave  my  body  to  the  flames, 
Still  fruitless  were  the  deed. 

4  Nay,  though  my  faith  with  boundless  pow'r 

Ev'n  mountains  could  remove, 
I  still  am  nothing  if  I'm  void 
Of  charity  and  love. 

361  C.  M.  DODDHIDGS, 

The  Law  of  Love. 

1  Far  from  thy  servants,  God  of  grace, 

Th'  unfeeling  heart  remove, 
And  form  in  our  obedient  souls 
The  image  of  thy  love. 

2  O  may  our  sympathising  breasts 

The  gen'rous  pleasure  know 

2M 


362  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Kindly  to  share  in  others'  joy, 
And  weep  for  others'  woe. 

3  Where'er  the  helpless  sons  of  grief 

In  low  distress  are  laid, 
Soft  be  our  hearts  their  pains  to  feel, 
And  swift  onr  hands  to  aid. 

4  O  be  the  law  of  love  fulfUl'd 

In  ev'ry  act  and  thought, 
Each  angry  passion  far  removed. 
Each  selfish  view  forgot. 

5  Be  thou,  m}^  heart,  dilated  wide 

With  this  kind  social  grace, 
And  in  one  grasp  of  fervent  love 
All  earth  and  heav'n  embrace. 

302  C.  M.  Drennan 

The  same  subject. 

1  All  nature  feels  attractive  pow'r, 

A  strong  embracing  force ; 
The  drops  that  sparkle  in  the  show'r, 
The  planets  in  their  course. 

2  Thus  in  the  universe  of  mind 

Is  felt  the  law  of  love, 
The  charity,  both  strong  and  kind. 
For  all  that  live  and  move. 

3  In  this  fine  sympathetic  chain 

All  creatures  bear  a  part, 
-Their  ev'ry  pleasure,  ev'ry  pain 
Link'd  to  the  feeling  heart. 

292 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  363 

4  More  perfect  bond,  the  christian  plan 

Attaches  soul  to  soul ; 
Our  neighbor  is  the  suff'ring  man, 
Though  at  the  farthest  pole. 

5  To  earth  below,  from  heav'n  above, 

The  faith  in  Christ  profess'd 
More  clear  reveals  that  God  is  love, 
And  whom  he  loves  is  blest. 

ggg  L.  M.  Browne. 

Love  to  all  Mankind. 

1  O  God,  my  Saviour  and  my  King, 
Of  all  I  have  or  hope  the  spring, 
Send  down  thy  spirit  from  above, 
And  warm  my  heart  with  holy  love. 

2  May  I  from  ev'ry  act  abstain 
That  gives  another  grief  or  pain ; 
Still  may  I  feel  my  heart  inclined 
To  be  the  friend  of  all  mankind. 

3  With  pity  let  my  breast  o'ernow 
When  I  behold  a  brother's  woe, 
And  bear  a  sympathising  part 
Whene'er  I  meet  a  wounded  heart. 

4  And  let  my  neighbor's  prosp'rous  state 
A  mutual  joy  in  me  create, 

His  virtuous  triumph  let  me  join, 
His  peace  and  happiness  be  mine. 

5  Yea,  though  my  neighbor's  hate  I  prove, 
Still  let  me  vanquish  hate  with  love ; 

z*  293 


364  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Slow  to  resent,  though  he  would  grieve, 
But  always  ready  to  forgive. 

6  Let  love  through  all  my  conduct  shine 
An  image  fair  though  faint  of  thine  : 
Let  me  thy  humble  follower  prove, 
Father  of  men,  great  God  of  love. 

304  P.  M.  John  Taylor. 

Charity. 

1  O  ye  who  seek  Jehovah's  face, 
Bow  at  his  throne  and  feel  his  grace ; 
Who  ask  in  pray'r  and  own  in  praise 
That  bounteous  love  which  gilds  your  days 
Catch  from  above  the  hallow' d  flame, 
And  dignify  the  christian  name. 

2  Where'er  distress  and  pain  appear, 
Let  pity's  ready  hand  be  there ; 
With  cheering  wine  and  fragrant  oil 
Bid  languor  glow  and  anguish  smile : 
Though  woe  her  lowliest  form  may  wear, 
Yet  God  has  stamp 'd  his  image  there. 

3  When  he  the  sov'reign  Judge  draws  nigh 
And  holds  th'  unerring  beam  on  high, 
Then  shall  sweet  charity  prevail, 

And  angels  mark  the  sinking  scale  : 
Jesus  shall  call  his  followers  home, 
"  Ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  come  !" 

Hallelujah,  amen ! 

294 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  365 


gg|J  C.  M.  Hampson. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Daughters  of  pity,  tune  the  lay, 

To  mourners  joy  belongs, 
While  he  that  wipes  all  tears  away, 
Accepts  our  thankful  songs. 

2  No  altars  smoke,  no  offerings  bleed, 

No  guiltless  lives  expire ; 
To  help  a  brother  in  his  need 
Is  all  our  rites  require. 

3  Our  ofFring  is  a  willing  mind 

To  comfort  the  distrest, 
In  others'  good  our  own  to  find, 
In  others'  blessings  blest. 

4  Go  to  the  pillow  of  disease, 

Where  night  gives  no  repose, 
And  on  the  cheek  where  sickness  preys 
Bid  health  to  plant  a  rose. 

5  Go  where  the  friendless  stranger  lies ; 

To  perish  in  his  doom ; 
Snatch  from  the  grave  his  closing  eyes 
And  bring  his  blessing  home. 

6  Thus  what  our  heav'nly  Father  gave 

Shall  we  as  freely  give ; 
Thus  copy  him  who  lived  to  save, 
And  died  that  we  might  live. 

295 


366,  367       THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

366  P.  M.  Blacklock. 

Benevolence. 

1  Hail,  Source  of  pleasures  ever  new, 
While  thy  kind  dictates  I  pursue 

I  taste  a  joy  sincere, 
Too  liigrh.  for  little  minds  to  know 
Who  on  themselves  alone  bestow 

Their  wishes  and  their  care. 

2  By  thee  inspired,  the  gen'rous  breast, 
In  blessing  others  only  blest, 

With  kindness  large  and  free, 
Delights  the  widow's  tear  to  stay, 
To  teach  the  blind  their  smoothest  way, 

And  aid  the  feeble  knee. 

3  O  God,  with  sympathetic  care 
In  others'  joys  and  griefs  to  share 

Do  thou  my  heart  incline ; 
Each  low,  each  selfish  wish  control, 
Warm  with  benevolence  my  soul, 

And  make  me  wholly  thine. 

{$67  C.  M.  Drennan. 

The  Luxury  of  Doing  Good. 

1  O  sweeter  than  the  fragrant  flow'r 

At  ev'ning's  dewy  close, 
The  will  united  with  the  pow'r 
To  succor  human  woes. 

2  And  softer  than  the  softest  strain 

Of  music  to  the  ear, 

296 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  368 

That  placid  joy  we  give  and  gain 
By  gratitude  sincere. 


3@g  C  M.  Watts. 

Justice  and  Equity. 

1  Come,  let  us  search  our  ways  and  try ; 

Have  they  been  just  and  right  ? 
Is  the  great  rule  of  equity 
Our  practice  and  delight? 

2  What  we  would  have  our  neighbor  do, 

Have  we  still  done  the  same  ? 
From  others  ne'er  withheld  the  due 
Which  we  from  others  claim  ? 

3  Have  we  ne'er  envied  others'  good, 

Ne'er  envied  others'  praise  ? 
In  no  man's  path  malignant  stood, 
Nor  used  detraction's  ways  ? 

4  Have  we  not,  deaf  to  his  request, 

Turn'd  from  another's  woe  ? 
The  scorn  which  wrings  the  sufF'rer's  breast 
Have  we  abhorr'd  to  show7  ? 

5  Then  may  we  raise  our  modest  pray'r 

To  God,  the  just  and  kind ; 
May  humbly  cast  on  him  our  care. 
And  hope  his  grace  to  find. 

6  Religion's  path  they  never  trod 

Who  equity  contemn ; 

297 


369  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Nor  ever  are  they  just  to  God 
Who  prove  unjust  to  men. 


g(}9  C.  M.  Walker. 

The  Virtuous  Love  of  Country. 

1  Parent  of  all,  Omnipotent 

In  heav'n,  and  earth  below, 
Through  all  creation's  vast  extent 
Whose  streams'  of  goodness  flow, 

2  Teach  me  to  know  from  whence  I  rose, 

And  unto  what  design'd ; 
No  private  aims  may  I  propose, 
Since  link'd  with  human  kind. 

3  But  chief  to  hear  my  country's  voice 

May  my  best  thoughts  incline ; 
'Tis  reason's  law,  'tis  virtue's  choice, 
'Tis  nature's  call  and  thine. 

4  Me  from  fair  freedom's  sacred  cause 

May  nothing  e'er  divide, 
Nor  grandeur,  gold  nor  vain  applause, 
Nor  friendship  false,  misguide. 

5  To  duty,  honor,  virtue  true, 

In  all  my  country's  weal, 
Let  me  my  public  walk  pursue ; 
So,  God,  thy  favor  deal. 

298 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      370,  371 

370  L.  M.  Watts. 

Christian  Zeal  Tempered  by  Charity, 

1  Great  God,  whose  all-pervading  eye 
Sees  ev'ry  passion  in  my  sonl, 
When  sunk  too  low  or  raised  too  high, 
Teach  me  those  passions  to  control. 

2  Temper  the  fervors  of  my  frame  ; 
Be  charity  their  constant  spring ; 
And  0  let  no  unhallow'd  flame 
Pollute  the  offerings  I  bring. 

3  Let  peace  with  piety  unite 
To  mend  the  bias  of  my  will, 

While  hope  and  heav'n-eyed  faith  excite 
And  wisdom  regulates  my  zeal : 

4  That  wisdom  which  to  meekness  turns, 
Wisdom  descending  from  above  ; 

And  let  my  zeal  whene'er  it  burns 
Be  kindled  by  the  fire  of  love. 

371  L.  M.  Scott. 
Against  Persecution  and  Intolerance. 

1  Absurd  and  vain  attempt,  to  bind 
With  iron  chains  the  free-born  mind  ; 
To  force  conviction,  and  reclaim 
The  wand'ring  by  destructive  flame. 

2  Bold  arrogance,  to  snatch  from  heav'n 
Dominion  not  to  mortals  given ; 

299 


372  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

O'er  conscience  to  usurp  the  throne, 
Accountable  to  God  alone. 

3  Jesus,  thy  gentle  law  of  love 
Doth  no  such  cruelties  approve ; 
Mild  as  thyself,  thy  doctrine  wields 
No  arms  but  what  persuasion  yields. 

4  By  proofs  divine  and  reason  strong 
It  draws  the  willing  mind  along, 
And  conquests  to  thy  church  acquires 
By  eloquence  which  heav'n  inspires. 

3^2  L.  M.  Scott. 

Candour. 

1  All-seeing  God,  'tis  thine  to  know 

The  springs  whence  wrong  opinions  flow, 
To  judge  from  principles  within 
When  frailty  errs  and  when  we  sin. 

2  Who  among  men,  great  Lord  of  all, 
Thy  servant  to  his  bar  shall  call, 
Judge  him  for  modes  of  faith  thy  foe, 
And  doom  him  to  the  realms  of  woe  ? 

3  Who  with  another's  eye  can  read  ? 
Or  worship  by  another's  creed  ? 
Trusting  thy  grace  we  form  our  own, 
And  bow  to  thy  commands  alone. 

4  If  wrong,  correct ;  accept,  if  right ; 
While  faithful  we  improve  our  light, 
Condemning  none,  but  zealous  still 
To  learn  and  follow  all  thy  will. 

300 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      373,  374 


giyg  S.  M.  Birmingham  Col. 

Christian  Unity, 

1  Let  party  names  no  more 
The  Christian  world  o'erspread, 

Gentile  and  Jew  and  bond  and  free 
Are  one  in  Christ  their  head. 

2  Among  his  friends  on  earth 
Let  mutual  love  be  found, 

Heirs  of  the  same  inheritance, 
With  mutual  blessings  crown'd. 

3  Envy  and  strife  be  gone, 
And  only  kindness  known 

Where  all  one  common  Father  have, 
One  common  Master  own. 

4  Thus  will  the  church  below 
Resemble  that  above, 

Where  springs  of  purest  pleasure  rise 
And  ev'ry  heart  is  love. 

fJT^l  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Compassionate  Intercession  for  the  Thoughtless. 

1  Indulgent  God,  with  pitying  eye 

The  sons  of  men  survey ; 
Alas,  how  thoughtless  mortals  sport 
In  sin's  destructive  way  ! 

2  Ten  thousand  dangers  lurk  around 

To  bear  them  to  the  tomb ; 

2  A  301 


375  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Each  passing  hour  may  place  them  where 
Repentance  cannot  come. 

3  Reclaim,  O  Lord,  their  wand'ring  minds, 

Amused  by  airy  dreams, 
That  heav'nly  wisdom  may  dispel 
Their  visionary  schemes. 

4  Guide  and  direct  them  by  thy  word 

Their  dang'rous  state  to  see, 
That  they  may  seek  and  find  the  path 
That  leads  to  heav'n  and  thee. 

3^5  C.  M.  Needham. 

Christian  Virtues, 

1  Happy  the  man  whose  cautious  steps 

Still  keep  the  golden  mean, 
Whose  life  by  wisdom's  rules  well  form'd 
Declares  a  conscience  clean. 

2  Not  of  himself  he  highly  thinks, 

Nor  acts  the  boaster's  part ; 
His  modest  tongue  the  language  speaks 
Of  his  still  humbler  heart. 

3  Not  in  base  scandal's  arts  he  deals, 

For  truth  dwells  in  his  breast ; 
With  grief  he  sees  his  neighbor's  faults, 
And  thinks  and  hopes  the  best. 

4  What  blessings  bounteous  heav'n  bestows 

He  takes  with  thankful  heart ; 
With  temp'rance  he  both  eats  and  drinks, 
And  gives  the  poor  a  part. 

302 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  376 

5  To  sect  or  party  his  large  soul 

Disdains  to  be  confined ; 
The  good  he  loves  of  ev'ry  name, 
And  prays  for  all  mankind. 

6  Not  on  the  world  his  heart  is  set, 

His  treasure  is  above ; 
Nothing  beneath  the  Sov'reign  Good 
Can  claim  his  highest  love. 


g^g  L.  M.  Bristol  Col, 

Personal  Virtues. 

1  Awake,  my  sonl,  rouse  ev'ry  pow'r, 
Thy  native  dignity  display, 

Let  lust  and  passion  reign  no  more, 
No  longer  own  their  lawless  sway. 

2  Thy  temper  meek  and  humble  be. 
Content  and  pleased  with  ev'ry  state, 
From  dire  revenge  and  envy  free, 
And  wild  ambition  to  be  great, 

3  Confine  thy  roving  appetites, 

From  this  vain  world  withdraw  thine  eyes, 
Fix  them  on  those  divine  delights 
Which  angels  taste  above  the  skies. 

4  With  eager  zeal  pursue  the  prize, 
Each  fleeting  hour  of  life  improve; 
This  course  will  speak  thee  truly  wise, 
And  raise  thee  to  the  world  above. 

303 


377,  378      THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

JJ^'J'  S.  M.  Doddridge 

The  Excellency  of  the  Righteous. 

1       How  glorious,  Lord,  art  thou  ! 
How  bright  thy  splendors  shine  ! 
Whose  rays  reflected  gild  thy  saints 
With  ornaments  divine. 


With  lowliness  and  love, 
Wisdom  and  -courage  meet ; 
The  grateful  heart,  the  cheerful  eye. 
How  amiable,  how  sweet ! 

In  beauties  such  as  these 
Thy  children  now  are  drest ; 
But  brighter  habits  shall  they  wear 
In  regions  of  the  blest. 

O  God  of  Isr'el,  hear, 
And  make  this  bliss  our  own ; 
Make  us  the  children  of  thy  care, 
The  members  of  thy  Son. 


3^8  C  M.  Watts. 

Prudence  and  Benevolence. 

1  O  'tis  a  lovely  thing  to  see 

A  man  of  prudent  heart, 
Whose  thoughts  and  lips  and  life  agree 
To  act  a  useful  part. 

2  When  envy,  strife  and  war  begin 

In  little  angry  souls, 
Mark  how  the  sons  of  peace  come  in 
And  quench  the  kindling  coals. 

304 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  379 

3  Their  minds  are  humble,  mild  and  meek ; 

No  furious  passions  rise ; 
Nor  malice  moves  their  lips  to  speak, 
Nor  pride  exalts  their  eyes. 

4  Their  lives  are  prudence  mix'd  with  love ; 

Good  works  employ  their  day ; 
They  join  the  serpent  with  the  dove, 
But  cast  the  sting  away. 

5  Such  was  the  Saviour  of  mankind, 

Such  pleasures  he  pursued ; 
His  manners  gentle  and  refined, 
His  soul  divinely  good. 

3^9  L.  M.  Scott. 

Meekness. 

1  Mark,  when  tempestuous  winds  arise, 
The  wild  confusion  and  uproar ; 

All  ocean  mixing  with  the  skies, 

And  wrecks  are  dash'd  upon  the  shore. 

2  Not  less  confusion  racks  the  mind 
By  its  own  fierce  ideas  tost; 
Calm  reason  is  to  rage  resigned, 
And  in  the  whirl  of  passion  lost. 

3  O  self-tormenting  child  of  pride, 
Anger,  bred  up  in  hate  and  strife, 
Ten  thousand  ills  by  thee  supplied 
Mingle  the  cup  of  bitter  life. 

4  Happy  the  meek,  whose  gentle  breast, 
Clear  as  the  summer's  ev'ning  ray, 

2  a*  305 


380  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Calm  as  the  regions  of  the  blest, 
Enjoys  on  earth  celestial  day. 

5  No  friendships  broke  their  bosoms  sting, 
No  jars  their  peaceful  tent  invade  ; 
Secure  beneath  th'  Almighty  wing, 
And  foes  to  none,  of  none  afraid. 

6  Spirit  of  grace,  all  meek  and  mild, 
Inspire  our  breasts,  our  souls  possess ; 
Repel  each  passion  rude  and  wild, 
And  bless  us  as  we  aim  to  bless. 

380  L.  M.  Watts. 

Self- Government. 

1  O  thou  whose  scales  the  mountains  weigh, 
Whose  will  the  raging  seas  obey, 

Thou  who  canst  boist'rous  winds  control, 
Subdue  the  tumults  of  my  soul. 

2  May  I  with  equal  mind  sustain 
My  lot  of  pleasure  and  of  pain ; 
May  joys  and  sorrows  gently  flow, 
Nor  rise  too  high  nor  sink  too  low. 

3  Do  thou  my  passions,  Lord,  restrain, 
And  in  my  soul  unrivall'd  reign ; 
Then  with  whatever  loads  oppress'd, 
Center 'd  in  thee,  my  soul  shall  rest. 

4  O  when  shall  my  still  wav'ring  mind 
This  sweetest  self-possession  find  ! 
Fountain  of  joy,  I  long  to  see 

In  thee  my  peace — my  heav'n  in  thee. 

306 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      381,  382 

f}g \  L.  M.  Dr.  Enfield. 

Humility. 

1  Wherefore  should  man,  frail  child  of  clay, 
Who  from  the  cradle  to  the  shroud 
Lives  but  the  insect  of  a  day — 

O  why  should  mortal  man  be  proud  ? 

2  His  brightest  visions  just  appear, 
Then  vanish  and  no  more  are  found : 
The  stateliest  pile  his  pride  can  rear 
A  breath  may  level  with  the  ground. 

3  By  doubt  perplex'd,  in  error  lost, 
With  trembling  step  he  seeks  his  way ; 
How  vain  of  wisdom's  gift  the  boast ! 
Of  reason's  lamp  how  faint  the  ray ! 

4  Follies  and  crimes,  a  countless  sum, 
Are  crowded  in  life's  little  span ; 
How  ill,  alas,  does  pride  become 
That  erring,  guilty  creature,  man ! 

5  God  of  my  life,  Father  divine, 
Give  me  a  meek  and  lowly  mind  : 
In  modest  worth  O  let  me  shine, 
And  peace  in  humble  virtue  find. 

382  L- M- 

Humility  and  Retirement. 

1  How  vain  is  grandeur's  purple  pride  ! 
And  guards  and  roofs  of  gold  how  vain  ! 
Through  circling  guards  may  sorrow  glide. 
And  gilded  roofs  are  claim'd  by  pain. 

307 


383  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

2  Give  me,  great  God,  unknown  to  dwell, 
Remote  from  pomp  and  care  and  strife  ; 
Secure  from  passions  that  rebel, 
And  shelter'd  from  the  storms  of  life. 


g §g  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Communing  with  our  Hearts. 

1  Return,  my  roving  heart,  return, 

And  chase  these  shadowy  forms  no  more ; 
Seek  out  some  solitude  to  mourn, 
And  thy  forsaken  God  implore. 

2  Wisdom  and  pleasure  dwell  at  home ; 
Retired  and  silent  seek  them  there ; 
True  conquest  is  ourselves  t'  o'ercome, 
True  strength  to  break  temptation's  snare. 

3  And  thou,  my  God,  whose  piercing  eye 
Distinct  surveys  each  deep  recess, 

In  these  abstracted  hours  draw  nigh, 
And  with  thy  presence  fill  the  place. 

4  Through  all  the  mazes  of  my  heart, 
My  search  let  heav'nly  wisdom  guide, 
And  still  its  radiant  beams  impart, 
Till  all  be  search'd  and  purified. 

5  Then  with  the  visits  of  thy  love 
Vouchsafe  my  inmost  soul  to  cheer, 
Till  ev'ry  grace  shall  join  to  prove 
That  God  hath  fix'd  his  dwelling  there. 

308 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.       384,  385 


o 


gg4^  S.  M.  Enfield's  Col. 

Worldly  Anxiety  Reproved. 

Why  should  I  thus  perplex 
My  life  with  fruitless  care, 
With  fears  and  hopes  which  idly  vex, 
And  oft  the  heart  ensnare  ? 

Can  anxious  thoughts  increase 
My  years'  appointed  sum  ? 
Why  waste  I  then  my  health  and  peace 
To  hoard  for  days  to  come  ? 

To  him  these  low  desires, 
This  sordid  gain  I  leave, 
Who  to  no  higher  good  aspires 
Than  what  this  world  can  give. 

Then  let  to-morrow's  cares 
Until  to-morrow  stay ; 
The  trouble  which  to-day  prepares 
Suffices  for  to-day. 

3§5  P.  M.  Cotton. 

Contentment. 

If  solid  happiness  we  prize, 
Within  our  breasts  this  jewel  lies, 

And  they  are  fools  who  roam ; 
The  world  has  little  to  bestow, 
From  our  own  selves  our  joys  must  flow, 

Our  bliss  begins  at  home. 

We'll  therefore  relish  wijth  content 
Whate'er  kind  providence  hast  sent, 
Nor  aim  beyond  our  pow'r ; 

309 


386  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

And  if  our  store  of  wealth  be  small, 
With  thankful  hearts  improve  it  all, 
Nor  waste  the  present  hour. 

3  To  be  resign'd  when  ills  betide, 
Patient  when  favors  are  denied, 

And  pleased  with  favors  giv'n, 
This  is  the  wise,  the  virtuous  part, 
This  is  that  incense  of  the  heart 

Whose  fragrance  reaches  heav'n. 

4  Thus  thro'  life's  changing  scenes  we'll  go. 
Its  chequer'd  paths  of  joy  and  woe 

With  cautious  steps  we'll  tread ; 
Quit  its  vain  scenes  without  a  tear, 
Without  a  trouble  or  a  fear, 

And  mingle  with  the  dead  : 

5  While  conscience,  like  a  faithful  friend, 
Shall  through  the  gloomy  vale  attend, 

And  cheer  our  dying  breath ; 
Shall,  when  all  other  comforts  cease, 
Like  a  kind  angel,  whisper  peace, 

And  smooth  the  bed  of  death. 

3§0  L.  M.  Watts. 

A  Conversation  Becoming  the  Gospel. 

1  So  let  our  lips  and  lives  express 
The  holy  gospel  we  profess, 

So  let  our  works  and  virtues  shine 
To  prove  the  doctrine  all  divine. 

2  Thus  shall  we  best  proclaim  abroad 
The  honors  of  our  Saviour  God, 

310 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  387 

When  his  salvation  reigns  within, 
And  grace  subdues  the  pow'r  of  sin. 

3  Our  flesh  and  sense  must  be  denied, 
Passion  and  envy,  lust  and  pride ; 
While  justice,  temp'rance,  truth  and  love, 
Our  inward  piety  approve. 

4  Religion  bears  our  spirits  up, 
While  we  expect  that  blessed  hope, 
The  bright  appearance  of  our  Lord, 
And  faith  stands  leaning  on  his  word. 

3g>y  L.  M.  Jervis. 

Integrity,  Fortitude,  and  Hope. 

1  The  man  whose  firm  and  equal  mind 
To  solid  glory  is  inclined, 
Determined  will  his  path  pursue, 
And  keep  the  godlike  prize  in  view. 

2  His  calm,  undaunted,  manly  breast, 
Of  virtue,  honor,  truth  possest, 
Will  stem  the  torrent  of  the  age, 
And  fearless  tread  thi&  mortal  stage. 

3  Amidst  th'  assailing  ills  of  life, 
Pride,  passion,  malice,  envy,  strife, 
He'll  act  his  part  without  disguise, 
Intrepid,  gen'rous,  just  and  wise. 

4  In  conscious  rectitude  secure, 
This  man  unshaken  shall  endure 
Of  human  woes  the  num'rous  train, 
Oppression,  bondage,  sickness,  pain. 

311 


388  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

5  And  when  at  last  th'  eternal  Pow'r 
Shall  fix  th'  irrevocable  hour, 

That  solemn  hour  which  none  can  fly, 
Since  'tis  decreed  that  all  must  die : 

6  Conscious  of  sovereign  mercy  near, 
Its  voice  shall  banish  ev'ry  fear, 
While  faith  and  hope  in  joys  to  come 
Waft  him  to  realms  beyond  the  tomb. 

ggg  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Exemplary  Virtue. 

1  Ah  wretched  souls,  who  strive  in  vain, 
Slaves  to  the  world  and  slaves  to  sin ; 
A  nobler  toil  may  I  sustain, 

A  nobler  satisfaction  win. 

2  May  I  resolve  with  all  my  heart, 
With  all  my  pow'rs  to  serve  the  Lord, 
Nor  from  his  precepts  e'er  depart, 
Whose  service  is  a  rich  reward. 

3  O  be  his  service  all  my  joy, 
Around  let  my  example  shine, 
Till  others  love  the  blest  employ 
And  join  in  labors  so  divine. 

4  Be  this  the  purpose  of  my  soul, 
My  solemn,  my  determined  choice, 
To  yield  to  his  supreme  control, 
And  in  his  kind  commands  rejoice. 

5  O  may  I  never  faint  nor  tire, 

Nor  wandering,  leave  his  sacred  ways ; 

312 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.      389,  390 

Great  God,  accept  my  soul's  desire, 
And' give  me  strength,  to  live  thy  praise. 

389  L.  M.  Watts. 

Christian  Fortitude. 

1  Courage,  my  soul,  while  God  is  near, 
What  enemy  hast  thou  to  fear  ? 
How  canst  thou  want  a  sure  defence, 
Whose  refuge  is  omnipotence  ? 

2  Though  thickest  dangers  crowd  my  way, 
My  God  can  chase  my  fears  away ; 

My  steadfast  heart  on  him  relies, 
And  all  those  dangers  still  defies. 

3  Though  billows  after  billows  roll 
To  overwhelm  my  sinking  soul, 
Firm  as  a  rock  my  faith  shall  stand, 
Upheld  by  God's  Almighty  hand. 

4  In  life  his  presence  is  my  aid, 

In  death  'twill  guide  me  through  the  shade, 
Chase  all  my  rising  fears  away, 
And  turn  my  darkness  into  day. 

390  L.  M.  Jervis. 
Fidelity  in  the  Cause  of  Truth  and  Virtue. 

1  Shall  I  forsake  that  heav'nly  Friend 
On  whom  my  noblest  hopes  depend  ? 
Forbid  it  that  my  wand'ring  heart 
From  God  and  virtue  should  depart. 

2B  313 


391  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

2  First  let  the  wheels  of  life  stand  still, 
E'er  I  forget  my  Father's  will, 

Or  dare  submit  to  guilty  shame, 
And  bring  dishonor  on  his  name. 

3  Faithful  to  him  and  to  his  laws, 
With  zeal  I  would  maintain  his  cause, 
The  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
'Midst  trial,  suff'ring  and  distress. 

4  If  e'er  I'm  call'd  t'  encounter  death 
For  him,  may  I  resign  my  breath, 
And  reap  at  last  the  bright  reward 
Which  waits  the  servants  of  the  Lord. 

391  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

PauVs  Solicitude  to  Finish  his  Course  with  Joy. 

1  Assist  us,  Lord,  thy  name  to  praise 
For  this  rich  gospel  of  thy  grace, 
And  that  our  hearts  may  love  it  more, 
Teach  them  to  feel  its  vital  pow'r. 

2  With  joy  may  we  are  course  pursue, 
And  keep  the  crown  of  life  in  view, 
That  crown  which  in  one  hour  repays 
The  labor  of  ten  thousand  days. 

3  Should  bonds  or  death  obstruct  our  way. 
Unmoved  their  terrors  we'll  survey, 
And  the  last  hour  improve  for  thee, 
The  last  of  life  or  liberty. 

4  Welcome  those  bonds  which  may  unite 
Our  souls  to  their  supreme  delight ; 

314 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  392 

Welcome  that  death  whose  painful  strife 
Bears  us  to  Christ  our  better  life. 

302  L-  M*  Mrs-  Barbauld. 

The  Christian  Warfare. 

1  Awake,  my  soul,  lift  up  thine  eyes, 
See  where  thy  foes  against  thee  rise 
In  long  array,  a  num'rous  host ; 
Awake,  my  soul,  or  thou  art  lost. 

2  Here  giant  danger  threat' ning  stands, 
Must'ring  his  pale  terrific  bands ; 
There  pleasure's  silken  banners  spread, 
And  willing  souls  are  captives  led. 

3  See  where  rebellious  passions  rage, 
And  fierce  desires  and  lusts  engage ; 
The  meanest  foe  of  all  the  train 

Has  thousands  and  ten  thousands  slain. 

4  Thou  tread' st  upon  enchanted  ground, 
Perils  and  snares  beset  thee  round ; 
Beware  of  all,  guard  ev'ry  part, 

But  most  the  traitor  in  thy  heart. 

5  Come  then,  my  soul,  now  learn  to  wield 
The  weight  of  thine  immortal  shield ; 
Put  on  the  armor  from  above 

Of  heav'nly  truth  and  heav'nly  love. 

6  The  terror  and  the  charm  repel, 

And  pow'rs  of  earth  and  pow'rs  of  hell ; 
The  man  of  Calv'ry  triumph'd  here, 
Why  should  his  faithful  followers  fear  ? 

315 


393  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

393  C.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

The  Pilgrimage  of  Life. 

1  Our  country  is  Immaimers  ground, 

We  seek  that  promised  soil ; 
The  songs  of  Zion  cheer  our  hearts, 
"While  strangers  here  we  toil. 

2  Oft  do  our  eyes  with  joy  o'er  flow, 

And  oft  are  bathed  in  tears ; 
Yet  nought  but  heav'n  our  hopes  can  raise. 
And  nought  but  sin  our  fears. 

3  The  flow'rs  that  spring  along  the  road, 

We  scarcely  stoop  to  pluck ; 
We  walk  o'er  beds  of  shining  ore, 
Nor  waste  one  wishful  look. 

4  We  tread  the  path  our  Master  trod, 

We  bear  the  cross  he  bore ; 
And  ev'ry  thorn  that  wounds  our  feet, 
His  temples  pierced  before. 

5  Our  pow'rs  are  oft  dissolved  away 

In  ecstacies  of  love, 
And  while  our  bodies  wander  here. 
Our  souls  are  fix'd  above. 

6  We  purge  our  mortal  dross  away, 

Refining  as  we  run ; 
But  while  we  die  to  earth  and  sense, 
Our  heav'n  is  here  begun. 

316 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  394 

gcj/j.  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  High-Way  to  Zion. 

1  Sing,  ye  redeemed  of  trie  Lord, 

Your  great  deliv'rer  sing, 
Pilgrims,  for  Zion's  city  bound, 
Be  joyful  in  your  King. 

2  See  the  fair  way  his  hand  hath  raised, 

How  holy  and  how  plain! 
Nor  shall  the  simplest  trav'ller  err, 
Nor  ask  the  track  in  vain. 

3  No  rav'ning  lion  shall  destroy, 

Nor  lurking  serpent  wound ; 
Pleasure  and  safety,  peace  and  praise, 
Through  all  the  path  are  found. 

4  A  hand  divine  shall  lead  you  on 

Along  the  blissful  road, 
Till  on  the  sacred  mount  you  see 
The  glory  of  your  God. 

5  There  garlands  of  immortal  joy 

Shall  bloom  on  ev'ry  head, 
While  sorrow,  sighing  and  distress 
Like  shadows  all  are  fled. 

6  Jesus  your  leader's  gone  before, 

Pursue  his  footsteps  still, 
And  let  the  prospect  cheer  your  eye, 
While  lab'ring  up  the  hill. 

2  b*  317 


395  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

*39*>  S.  M.  Doddridge. 

Singing  in  the  Ways  of  God, 

1  Now  let  our  voices  join, 
To  form  one  pleasant  song ; 

Ye  pilgrims  in  Jehovah's  ways, 
With  music  pass  along. 

2  How  straight  the  path  appears, 
How  open  and  how  fair  ! 

No  lurking  gins  entrap  our  feet, 
No  fierce  destroyer  there. 

3  But  flow'rs  of  paradise 
In  rich  profusion  spring ; 

The  sun  of  glory  gilds  the  path, 
And  dear  companions  sing. 

4  See  Salem's  golden  spires 
In  beauteous  prospect  rise, 

And  brighter  crowns  than  mortals  wear, 
Which  sparkle  through  the  skies. 

5  All  honor  to  his  name 
Who  drew  the  shining  trace, 

To  him  who  leads  the  wand'rers  on, 
And  cheers  them  with  his  grace. 

6  Reduce  the  nations,  Lord, 
Teach  all  their  kings  thy  ways, 

That  earth's  full  choir  the  notes  may  swell, 
And  heav'n  resound  the  praise. 

318 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.       396,  397 

QOg  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Peace  Proclaimed,  and  the  Fruit  of  the  Lips  Created. 

1  Hark,  for  the  great  Creator  speaks, 
In  silence  let  trie  earth  attend, 

And  when  his  words  of  grace  are  heard. 
In  grateful  adoration  bend. 

2  "  'Tis  I  create  the  frait  of  praise, 
And  give  the  broken  heart  to  sing ; 
Peace,  heav'nly  peace,  my  lips  proclaim, 
Pleased  with  the  happy  news  they  bring." 

3  Receive  the  tidings  with  delight, 
Ye  Gentile  nations  from  afar, 
And  yon,  the  children  of  his  love, 
Whom  grace  hath  hrought  already  near. 

4  To  these,  to  those,  his  sov'reign  hand 
Its  healing  energy  imparts ; 

Peace,  peace  be  chanted  from  your  tongues, 
And  echo'd  from  consenting  hearts. 

5  Enjoy  the  health  which  God  hath  wrought, 
Nor  let  the  daily  tribute  cease, 

Till  changed  for  more  exalted  songs 
In  regions  of  eternal  peace. 


39>y  L.  M.  Watts. 

Walking  by  Faith  and  not  by  Sight. 

1  'Tis  by  the  faith  of  joys  to  come, 

We  walk  through  deserts  dark  as  night ; 

319 


398  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

Till  we  arrive  at  heav'n  our  home, 
Faith  is  our  guide,  and  faith  our  light. 

2  The  want  of  sight  she  well  supplies ; 
She  makes  the  heav'nly  gates  appear ; 
Far  into  distant  worlds  she  pries, 
And  brings  eternal  glories  near. 

3  Cheerful  we  tread  the  desert  through, 
While  faith  inspires  a  heav'nly  ray, 
Though  lions  roar  and  tempests  blow, 
And  rocks  and  dangers  fill  the  way. 

4  So  Abr'am  by  divine  command 

Left  his  own  house  to  walk  with  God; 
His  faith  beheld  the  promised  land, 
And  fired  his  zeal  along  the  road. 

89§  C.  M.  Salisbury  Col. 

The  Power  of  Faith. 

1  Faith  adds  new  charms  to  earthly  bliss, 

And  saves  us  from  its  snares, 
Its  aid  in  ev'ry  duty  brings, 
And  softens  all  our  cares : 

2  Extinguishes  the  thirst  of  sin, 

And  lights  the  sacred  fire 
Of  love  to  God  and  heav'nly  things, 
And  feeds  the  pure  desire. 

3  The  wounded  conscience  knows  its  pow'r 

The  healing  balm  to  give ; 
That  balm  the  saddest  heart  can  cheer, 
And  make  the  dying  live. 

320 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  399 

4  Wide  it  unveils  celestial  worlds. 
Where  deathless  pleasures  reign, 
And  bids  ns  seek  our  portion  there, 
Nor  bids  us  seek  in  vain. 

QOQ  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Faith. 

1  Ah  why  should  this  mistaken  mind 

Still  rove  with  restless  pain  ? 
Delight  on  earth  expect  to  find, 
Yet  still  expect  in  vain  ? 

2  Faith  rising  upward  points  her  view 

To  regions  in  the  skies ; 
There  lovelier  scenes  than  Eden  knew 
In  bright  perspective  rise. 

3  0  if  this  heav'n-born  grace  were  mine, 

Would  not  my  spirit  soar, 
Transported  gaze  on  joys  divine, 
And  cleave  to  earth  no  more  ? 

4  If  in  my  heart  true  faith  appears, 

Yet  weak  the  sacred  ray, 
Feebly  aspiring,  press'd  with  fears, 
Almost  it  dies  away. 

5  O  Thou  from  whose  almighty  breath 

It  first  began  to  rise, 
Purge  off  these  mists,  these  dregs  of  earth, 
And  bid  it  reach  the  skies. 

6  Let  this  weak  erring  mind  no  more 

On  earth  bewilder 'd  rove, 

321 


400  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

But  with  celestial  ardor  soar 
To  endless  joys  above. 

400  c-  M-  Mrs-  Steele- 

The  Christian [s  Prospect. 

1  Happy  the  man  whose  wishes  climb 
To  mansions  in  the  skies ; 
He  looks  on  all  the  joys  of  time 
With  nndesiring  eyes. 

*2  In  vain  soft  pleasure  spreads  her  charms 
And  throws  her  silken  chain, 
And  wealth  and  fame  invite  his  arms 
And  tempt  his  ear  in  vain. 

3  He  knows  that  all  these  glitt'ring  things 

Must  yield  to  sure  decay, 
And  sees  on  time's  extended  wings 
How  swift  they  flee  away. 

4  Nor  low  to  earth  in  sorrow  bends, 

When  pains  and  cares  invade ; 
With  cheerful  wing  his  faith  ascends 
Above  the  gloomy  shade. 

5  To  things  unseen  by  mortal  eyes 

A  beam  of  sacred  light 
Directs  his  view,  his  prospects  rise 
All  permanent  and  bright. 

6  His  hopes  are  fix'd  on  joys  to  come  ; 

Those  blissful  scenes  on  high 
Shall  nourish  in  immortal  bloom 
When  time  and  nature  die. 

322 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.       401,  402 

401  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Christian  Race. 

1  Awake  our  souls,  away  our  fears, 
Let  ev'ry  trembling  thought  begone ; 
AwTake  and  run  the  heav'nly  race, 
And  put  a  cheerful  courage  on. 

2  True,  'tis  a  strait  and  thorny  road, 
And  mortal  spirits  tire  and  faint, 
But  they  forget  the  mighty  God, 
Who  strength  imparts  to  ev'ry  saint : 

3  The  mighty  God  whose  matchless  pow'r 
Is  ever  new  and  ever  young, 

And  firm  endures  while  endless  years 
Their  everlasting  circles  run. 

4  Swift  as  an  eagde  cuts  the  air 

CJ 

We'll  mount  aloft  to  thine  abode ; 
On  wings  of  love  our  souls  shall  fly, 
Nor  tire  amidst  the  heav'nly  road. 

402  c- M-  B- B- 

The  same  subject. 

1  On  wings  of  love  the  christian  flies 

And  upward  speeds  his  way ; 
The  empty  world  neglected  lies, 
Nor  can  it  tempt  his  stay. 

2  Though  rav'nous  beasts  of  prey  surround, 

Yet  onward  still  he  goes, 
And  resolute  maintains  his  ground 
When  multitudes  oppose. 

323 


403  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

3  Amidst  ten  thousand  lurking  snares 

He  treads  the  heav'nly  road, 
Drops  as  he  goes  his  pains  and  cares, 
And  makes  his  way  to  God. 

4  From  realms  of  bliss  he  shall  review 

The  labors  of  the  way ; 
No  sad  event  his  grief  renew, 
Nor  shall  his  joys  decay. 


J-03  C*  M-  Doddridge. 

The  same  subject. 

Awake,  my  soul,  stretch  ev'ry  nerve. 

And  press  with  vigor  on ; 
A  heav'nly  race  demands  thy  zeal, 

And  an  immortal  crown. 

A  cloud  of  witnesses  around 

Hold  thee  in  full  survey ; 
Forget  the  steps  already  trod, 

And  onward  urge  thy  way. 

'Tis  God's  all-animating  voice 

That  calls  thee  from  on  high ; 
'Tis  his  own  hand  presents  the  prize 

To  thine  aspiring  eye  : 

That  prize  with  peerless  glories  bright, 

Which  shall  new  lustre  boast 
When  victors'  wreaths  and  monarchs'  gems 

Shall  blend  in  common  dust. 

324 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  404 

404:  P.  M.  Wesley. 

The  Cross  and  Crown. 

Beyond  the  bounds  of  time  and  space, 
Look  forward  to  that  heav'nly  place, 

The  saint's  secure  abode; 
On  faith's  strong  eagle-pinions  rise, 
And  force  your  passage  to  the  skies, 

And  scale  the  mount  of  God. 

Though  sufFring  with  our  Master  here. 
We  shall  before  his  face  appear, 

And  by  his  side  sit  down ; 
To  patient  faith  the  prize  is  sure, 
And  all  that  to  the  end  endure 

The  cross  shall  wear  the  crown. 

2C 


PART   XIII. 

AFFLICTIONS  AND  CHANGES  OF  LIFE. 


J,0«5  C*  M*  Walker's  Col. 

Praise  to  God  through  all  the  Changes  of  Life. 

1  Father  of  mercies,  God  of  love, 

My  Father  and  my  God, 
I'll  sing  the  honors  of  thy  name, 
And  spread  thy  praise  abroad. 

2  My  soul  in  pleasing  wonder  lost, 

Thy  various  love  surveys ; 
Where  shall  my  grateful  lips  begin, 
Or  where  conclude  thy  praise  ? 

3  In  ev'ry  period  of  my  life 

Thy  thoughts  of  love  appear, 
Thy  mercies  gild  the  transient  scene, 
And  crown  each  passing  year. 

4  In  all  these  mercies  may  my  soul 

A  father's  bounty  see, 
Nor  let  the  gifts  thy  grace  bestows 
Estrange  my  heart  from  thee. 

5  Teach  me  in  times  of  deep  distress 

To  own  thy  hand,  O  God, 
And  in  submissive  silence  hear 
The  lessons  of  thy  rod. 

326 


AFFLICTIONS,  ETC.  406 

6  Through,  ev'ry  changing  state  of  life, 

Each  bright,  each  clouded  scene, 
Give  me  a  meek  and  humble  mind, 
Still  equal  and  serene. 

7  Then  may  I  close  my  eyes  in  death, 

Free  from  all  anxious  fear, 
For  death  itself  is  life,  my  God, 
If  thou  art  with  me  there. 

£06  P.  M.  Mrs.  Barbaijld, 

Praise  to  God  in  Prosperity  and  Mversity. 

1  Praise  to  God,  immortal  praise, 
For  the  love  that  crowns  our  days ; 
Bounteous  Source  of  ev'ry  joy, 
Let  thy  praise  our  tongues  employ : 

2  For  the  blessings  of  the  field, 
For  the  stores  the  gardens  yield, 
For  the  vine's  exalted  juice, 
For  the  gen'rous  olive's  use. 

3  Flocks  that  whiten  all  the  plain, 
Yellow  sheaves  of  ripen'd  grain, 
Clouds  that  drop  their  fatt'ning  dews, 
Suns  that  temp'rate  warmth  diffuse ; 

4  All  that  Spring  with  bounteous  hand 
Scatters  o'er  the  smiling-  land, 

All  that  lib'ral  Autumn  pours 
From  her  rich  o'erflowing-  stores ; 

5  These  to  thee,  our  God,  we  owe, 
Source  whence  all  our  blessings  flow, 

327 


407  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

And  for  these  our  souls  shall  raise 
Grateful  vows  and  solemn  praise. 

6  Yet  should  rising  whirlwinds  tear 
From  its  stem  the  rip'ning  ear; 
Should  the  fig-tree's  blasted  shoot 
Drop  her  green  untimely  fruit ; 

7  Should  the  vine  put  forth  no  more, 
Nor  the  olive  yield  her  store ; 
Though  the  sick'ning  flocks  should  fall, 
And  the  herds  desert  the  stall ; 

8  Should  thine  alter'd  hand  restrain 
Vernal  show'rs  and  latter  rain, 
Blast  each  op'ning  bud  of  joy, 
And  the  rising  year  destroy ; 

9  Yet  to  thee  our  souls  shall  raise 
Grateful  vows  and  solemn  praise ; 
And,  when  ev'ry  blessing's  flown, 
Love  thee — for  thyself  alone. 

40>y  C.  M.  Enfield's  Col. 

Praise  to  God  in  Life  and  Death. 

1  My  soul  shall  praise  thee,  O  my  God, 

Through  all  my  mortal  days, 
And  to  eternity  prolong 

Thy  vast,  thy  boundless  praise. 

2  In  each  bright  hour  of  peace  and  hope 

Be  this  my  sweet  employ ; 
Devotion  heightens  all  my  bliss 
And  sanctities  my  joy. 

328 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  408 

3  When  gloomy  care  or  keen  distress 

Invades  my  throbbing  breast, 
My  tongue  shall  learn  to  speak  thy  praise, 
And  soothe  my  pains  to  rest. 

4  Nor  shall  my  tongue  alone  proclaim 

The  honors  of  my  God, 
My  life,  with  all  my  active  pow'rs, 
Shall  spread  thy  praise  abroad. 

5  And  though  these  lips  shall  cease  to  move, 

Though  death  shall  close  these  eyes, 
Yet  shall  my  soul  to  nobler  heights 
Of  joy  and  transport  rise. 

6  Then  shall  my  pow'rs  in  endless  strains 

Their  grateful  tribute  pay ; 
The  theme  demands'  an  angel's  tongue, 
And  an  eternal  day. 


4L©8  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Praise  to  God  through  the  whole  of  our  Existence. 

1  God  of  my  life,  through  all  its  days 

My  grateful  pow'rs  shall  sound  thy  praise ; 
Thy  song  shall,  wake  with  op'ning  light, 
And  warble  to  the  silent  night. 

2  When  anxious  cares  would  break  my  rest, 
And  griefs  would  tear  my  throbbing  breast, 
Thy  tuneful  praises  raised  on  high, 

Shall  check  the  murmur  and  the  sigh. 

2  c*  329 


409  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

3  When  death  o'er  nature  shall  prevail. 
And  all  its  pow'rs  of  language  fail, 

Joy  through  my  swimming  eyes  shall  break. 
And  mean  the  thanks  I  cannot  speak. 

4  But  O  when  that  blest  morn  is  come 
Which  breaks  the  slumbers  of  the  tomb. 
With  what  glad  accents  shall  I  rise 

To  ioin  the  music  of  the  skies  I 

5  Soon  shall  I  learn  th'  exalted  strains 
Which  echo  o'er  the  heav'nly  plains, 
And  emulate  with  joy  unknown 

The  glowing  seraphs  round  thy  throne. 

6  "  Praise  shall  employ  my  noblest  pow'rs 
While  immortality  endures ;" 

A  work  so  sweet,  a  theme  so  high, 
Demands  and  crowns  eternity. 

409  c- M-  JoHN  Taylor- 

Trust  in  God  through  all  the  Changes  of  Life. 

1  Father  divine,  before  thy  view 

All  worlds,  all  creatures  lie ; 
No  distance  can  elude  thy  search, 
No  action  'scape  thine  eye. 

2  From  thee  our  vital  breath  we  draw, 

Our  childhood  was  thy  care, 
And  vig'rous  youth  and  feeble  age 
Thy  kind  protection  share. 

3  Whate'er  we  do,  where'er  we  turn, 

Thy  ceaseless  bounty  flows ; 

330 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  410 

Oppress'd  with  woe,  when  nature  faints, 
Thine  arm  is  our  repose. 

To  thee  we  look,  thou  Pow'r  Supreme, 

O  still  our  wants  supply ; 
Safe  in  thy  presence  may  we  live, 

And  in  thy  favor  die. 


41©  C.  M.  Darwin. 

Trust  in  God  in  Prosperity  and  Mversity. 

1  The  Lord,  how  tender  is  his  love  ! 

His  justice,  how  august ! 
Hence  all  her  fears  my  soul  derives, 
There  anchors  all  her  trust. 

2  He  show'rs  the  manna  from  above 

To  feed  the  barren  waste, 
Or  points  with  death  the  fiery  hail, 
And  famine  waits  the  blast. 

3  Crowns,  realms  and  worlds,  his  wrath  in- 

censed, 
Are  dust  beneath  his  tread ; 
He  blights  the  fair,  unplumes  the  proud, 
Lays  low  the  learned  head. 

4  He  bids  distress  forget  to  groan, 

The  sick  from  anguish  cease, 
In  dungeons  spreads  his  healing  wing, 
And  softly  whispers  peace. 

5  Thy  vengeance  rides  the  rushing  wind, 

Or  tips  the  bolt  with  flame  ; 

331 


411  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

Thy  goodness  breathes  in  ev'ry  breeze, 
And  warms  in  ev'ry  beam. 

6  For  me,  O  Lord,  whatever  lot 

The  hours  commission'd  bring-  • 
Do  all  my  withering  blessings  die, 
Or  fairer  clusters  spring, 

7  O  grant  that  still  with  grateful  heart 

My  years  resign'd  may  run ; 
'Tis  thine  to  give  or  to  resume, 
And  may  thy  will  be  done. 

411  C.  M.  Bristol  Col. 

Hope  in  Affliction. 

1  Lord,  in  this  wretched  vale  of  tears, 

What  various  woes  we  feel ! 
Diseases,  pains,  and  doubts  and  fears 
Surround  thy  children  still. 

2  Darkness  and  dangers  fill  the  road, 

And  storms  and  tempests  roar ; 

But  we  march  onward  to  our  God, 

And  trust  his  guardian  pow'r. 

3  What  though  no  lasting  comfort's  found 

Through  this  long  wilderness  ? 
When  we  arrive  on  heav'nly  ground, 
Pleasures  shall  never  cease. 

4  Lord,  give  us  patience  in  thy  way, 

And  let  our  faith  be  strong ; 
Direct  our  footsteps  lest  we  stray, 
And  guard  our  souls  along. 

332 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  412,  413 

5  Death  shall  convey  thy  children  home ; 
Thither  our  hearts  aspire ; 
There  no  disease  shall  ever  come, 
But  joy  shall  be  entire. 

412  C-  M-  Watts. 

Hope  in  God. 

1  The  Lord  can  clear  the  darkest  skies, 

Can  give  ns  day  for  night, 
Make  drops  of  sacred  sorrow  rise 
To  rivers  of  delight. 

JXJfc 

2  The  seed  though  buried  long  in  dust 

Shall  not  deceive  our  hope  ; 
The  precious  grain. can  ne'er  be  lost, 
Since  God  insures  the  crop. 

3  The  seeds  of  joy  and  glory  sown 

For  those  in  darkness  here, 
Shall  rise  and  spring  in  worlds  unknown, 
And  a  rich  harvest  bear. 


413  C.  M.  Doddridge, 

The  Divine  Mercy  Moderating  Affliction. 

1  Great  Ruler  of  all  nature's  frame, 

We  own  thy  pow'r  divine ; 
We  hear  thy  breath  in  every  storm, 
For  all  the  winds  are  thine. 

2  Wide  as  they  sweep  their  sounding  way, 

They  work  thy  sov'reign  will, 

333 


414,  415  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

And  awed  by  thy  majestic  voice, 
Confusion  shall  be  still. 

3  Thy  mercy  tempers  every  blast 

To  those  who  seek  thy  face, 
And  mingles  with  the  tempest's  roar 
The  whispers  of  thy  grace. 

4  Let  me  those  gentle  whispers  hear 

Till  all  the  tumult  cease, 
Sleep  in  thine  arms,  and  wake  in  realms 
Of  everlasting  peace. 

4:14  C*  M*  Doddridge. 

Divine  Mercy  in  Affliction. 

1  In  thy  rebukes,  all-gracious  God, 

What  soft  compassion  reigns  ! 
What  gentle  accents  of  thy  voice 
Assuage  thy  children's  pains  ! 

2  "  When  I  correct  my  chosen  sons, 

A  father's  bowels  move ; 
One  transient  moment  bounds  my  wrath, 
But  endless  is  my  love." 

3  Our  faith  shall  look  through  every  tear, 

And  view  thy  smiling  face ; 
And  hope  amidst  our  sighs  shall  tune 
An  anthem  to  thy  grace. 

415  C.  M.  Drexnan. 

The  Use  of  Affliction. 

1  Why  does  the  will  of  heav'n  ordain 
A  world  so  mix'd  with  woe  ? 

334 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  415 

Why  pour  down  want,  disease  and  pain, 
On  wretched  men  below  ? 

2  It  was  by  sympathetic  ties 

The  human  race  to  bind ; 
To  warm  the  heart,  to  fill  the  eyes 
With  pity  for  our  kind  : 

3  Pity,  that  like  the  heav'nly  bow 

On  darkest  clouds  doth  shine ; 
And  makes  with  her  celestial  glow 
The  human  face  divine. 

4  Where  mercy  takes  her  custom'd  stand, 

To  bid  her  flock  rejoice, 
'Tis  there  with  grace  extends  the  hand, 
There  music  tunes  the  voice. 

5  And  he  who  speaks  in  mercy's  name 

No  fiction  needs  nor  art ; 
The  still  small  voice  of  nature's  claim 
Re-echoes  through  each  heart. 

6  Where  pity's  frequent  tear  is  shed, 

There  God  is  seen,  is  found ; 
Descends  upon  the  hallow'd  head, 
And  sheds  a  glory  round. 

7  But  charity  itself  may  fail 

Which  does  not  active  prove ; 
Nor  will  the  pray'r  of  faith  avail 
Without  the  works  of  love. 

335 


416,  417  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

zf/l(}  -L.  M.  Salisbury  Col. 

Patience. 

1  Patience,  O  'tis  a  grace  divine, 
Sent  from  the  God  of  pow'r  and  love, 
That  leans  upon  its  father's  arm 

As  through  the  wilds  of  life  we  rove. 

2  By  patience  we  serenely  bear 
The  troubles  of  our  mortal  state, 
And  wait  contented  our  discharge, 
Nor  think  our  glory  comes  too  late. 

3  O  for  this  grace  to  aid  us  on, 
And  arm  with  fortitude  the  breast, 
Till  life's  tumultuous  voyage  o'er, 
We  reach  the  shores  of  endless  rest, 

427  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Submission  to  God  under  Affliction, 

1  Peace,  my  complaining,  doubting  heart, 

Ye  busy  cares,  be  still, 
Adore  the  just,  the  sov'reign  Lord, 
Nor  murmur  at  his  will. 

2  Unerring  wisdom  guides  his  hand, 

Nor  dares  my  guilty  fear 
Amid  the  sharpest  pains  I  feel 
Pronounce  his  hand  severe. 

3  To  soften  ev'ry  painful  stroke, 

Indulgent  mercy  bends, 
And  unrepining  when  I  plead, 
His  gracious  ear  attends. 

336 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  418 

4  Let  me  reflect  with  humble  awe 

Whene'er  my  heart  complains, 
Compared  with  what  my  sins  deserve, 
How  light  and  few  my  pains ! 

5  Yes,  Lord,  I  own  thy  sovereign  hand, 

Thou  just  and  wise  and  kind ; 
Be  ev'ry  anxious  thought  supprest, 
And  all  my  soul  resign'd. 

ZJ.J§  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Trust  in  God  wider  Afflictions. 

1  Why  is  my  heart  with  grief  opprest  ? 
Can  all  the  pains  I  feel  or  fear 
Make  thee,  my  soul,  forget  thy  rest, 
Forget  that  God,  thy  God,  is  near  ? 

2  Mortality's  unnumber'd  ills 

Are  all  "beneath  his  sov'reign  hand ; 
Each  pain  which  this  frail  body  feels 
Attends  obedient  his  command. 

3  Lord,  form  my  temper  to  thy  will; 
If  thou  my  faith  and  patience  prove, 
May  ev'ry  painful  stroke  fulfil 
Thy  purposes  of  faithful  love. 

4  O  may  this  weak,  this  fainting  mind, 
A  father's  hand  adoring  see  ; 
Confess  thee  just  and  wise  and  kind, 
And  trust  thy  word  and  cleave  to  thee, 

2D  337 


419,  420  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

419  c-  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 
Filial  Submission. 

1  And  can  my  heart  aspire  so  high 

To  say,  "  My  Father,  God?" 
Lord,  at  thy  feet  I  fain  would  lie, 
And  learn  to  kiss  the  rod. 

2  I  would  submit  to  all  thy  will, 

For  thou  art  good  and  wise ; 
Let  ev'ry  anxious  thought  be  still, 
Nor  one  faint  murmur  rise. 

3  Thy  love  can  cheer  the  darkest  gloom. 

And  bid  me  wait  serene, 
Till  hopes  and  joys  immortal  bloom 
And  brighten  all  the  scene. 

420  S*  M*  Doddridge. 
T7ie  same  subject. 

1  How  gracious  and  how  wise 
Is  our  chastising  God ! 

And  O  how  rich  the  blessings  are 
That  blossom  from  his  rod ! 

2  He  lifts  it  up  on  high 
With  pity  in  his  heart, 

That  ev'ry  stroke  his  children  feel 
May  grace  and  peace  impart. 

3  Instructed  thus,  they  bow 
And  own  his  sov'reign  sway, . 

They  turn  their  erring  footsteps  back 
To  his  forsaken  way. 

338 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  421 

4  His  cov'nant  love  they  seek, 
And  seek  the  happy  bands 

That  closer  still  engage  their  hearts 
To  honor  his  commands. 

5  Submissive,  Lord,  we  yield 
To  discipline  divine, 

And  bless  the  pains  that  make  ns  still 
More  uniformly  thine. 

421  C.  M.  Watts. 

Submission  to  Afflictive  Providences. 

1  Naked  as  from  the  earth  we  came 

And  crept  to  life  at  first, 
We  to  the  earth  return  again 
And  mingle  with  our  dust. 

2  The  dear  delights  we  here  enjoy 

And  fondly  call  our  own, 
Are  but  short  favors  borrow'd  now 
To  be  repaid  anon. 

3  'Tis  God  who  lifts  our  comforts  high 

Or  sinks  them  in  the  grave ; 
He  gives,  and  blessed  be  his  name, 
He  takes  but  what  he  gave. 

4  Peace,  all  our  angry  passions  then, 

Let  each  rebellious  sigh 
Be  silent  at  his  sov'reign  will, 
And  ev'ry  murmur  die. 

5  If  smiling  mercy  crown  our  lives, 

Its  praises  shall  be  spread ; 

339 


422,  423  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

Nor  will  we  call  unjust  the  hand 
That  strikes  our  comforts  dead. 


422  C-  M-  Toplady's  Col. 
True  Resignation. 

1  With  God  my  friend,  the  radiant  sun 

Sheds  a  more  lively  ray, 
Each  object  smiles,  all  nature  charms ; 
I  sing  my  cares  away. 

2  I  cannot  doubt  his  bounteous  love, 

Unmeasurably  kind ; 
To  his  unerring,  gracious  will 
Be  ev'ry  wish  resign'd. 

3  Good  when  he  gives,  supremely  good, 

Nor  less  when  he  denies ; 
Afflictions  from  his  gracious  hand 
Are  blessings  in  disguise. 

423  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 
The  same  subject. 

1  Weary  of  these  low  scenes  of  night, 
My  fainting  heart  grows  sick  of  time. 
Sighs  for  the  dawn  of  sweet  delight, 
Sighs  for  a  distant,  happier  clime. 

2  'Tis  just,  'tis  right ;  thus  he  ordains 
Who  form'd  this  animated  clod, 
That  needful  cares,  instructive  pains, 
May  bring  the  restless  heart  to  God. 

340 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  424 

3  In  him,  my  soul,  behold  thy  rest, 
Nor  hope  for  bliss  below  the  sky ; 
Come,  resignation,  to  my  breast, 
And  silence  ev'ry  plaintive  sigh. 

4  Then  cheerful  shall  my  heart  survey 
The  toils  and  dangers  of  the  road, 
And  patient  keep  the  heav'nly  way 
Which  leads  me  homeward  to  my  God. 


Complete  Happiness  not  designed  for  Man  on  Earth. 

1  Providence,  profusely  kind, 
Wheresoe'er  yon  turn  your  eyes 
Bids  you  with  a  grateful  mind 
View  a  thousand  blessings  rise. 

2  But  perhaps  some  friendly  voice 
Softly  whispers  to  your  mind, 
Make  not  these  alone  your  choice, 
Heav'n  has  blessings  more  refined. 

3  Thankful  own  what  you  enjoy, 
But  a  changing  world  like  this, 
Where  a  thousand  fears  annoy, 
Cannot  give  you  perfect  bliss. 

4  Perfect  bliss  resides  above, 
Far  above  yon  azure  sky, 
Bliss  that  merits  all  your  love, 
Merits  ev'ry  anxious  sigh. 

2  d*  341 


425  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

5  What  like  this  hath  earth  to  give  ? 
O  ye  righteous,  in  your  breast 
Let  the  admonition  live, 

Nor  on  earth  desire  to  rest. 

6  When  your  bosom' heaves  a  sigh 
Or  your  eye  emits  a  tear, 

Let  your  wishes  rise  on  high, 
Ardent  rise  to  bliss  sincere. 

4-25  *«•  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

True  and  Lasting  Happiness. 

1  In  vain  my  roving  thoughts  would  find 
A  portion  worthy  of  the  mind ; 

On  earth  my  soul  can  never  rest, 
For  earth  can  never  make  me  blest. 

2  Can  lasting  happiness  be  found 
Where  seasons  roll  their  hasty  round, 
And  days  and  hours  with  rapid  flight 
Sweep  cares  and  pleasures  out  of  sight  ? 

3  Arise,  my  thoughts,  my  heart,  arise, 
Leave  this  vain  world,  and  seek  the  skies ; 
There  joys  for  evermore  shall  last 
When  seasons,  days  and  hours  are  past. 

4  Thy  mercy,  Lord,  to  me  impart : 

O  raise  my  thoughtless,  wand'ring  heart 
To  pleasures  perfect  and  sublime, 
Unmeasured  by  the  wings  of  time. 

5  Let  those  bright  worlds  of  endless  joy 

My  thoughts,  my  hopes,  my  cares  employ  ; 

342 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  426,  427 

No  more,  ye  restless  passions,  roam, 
God  is  my  bliss  and  heav'n  my  home. 

J.SJ0  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Creatures  Vain,  and  God  the  Salvation  of  his  People. 

How  long  shall  dreams  of  creature  bliss 

Our  natt'ring  hopes  employ, 
And  mock  our  fond,  deluded  eyes 

With  visionary  joy  ? 


0 


8 

2  Why  from  the  mountains  and  the  hills 

Is  our  salvation  sought, 
While  our  Eternal  Rock's  disown'd 
And  Isr'el's  God  forgot  ? 

3  The  living  spring  neglected  flows 

Full  in  our  daily  view% 
Yet  we  with  anxious,  fruitless  toil 
Our  broken  cisterns  hew. 

4  These  fatal  errors,  gracious  God, 

With  gentle  pity  see, 
To  thee  our  roving  eyes  direct, 
And  fix  our  hearts  on  thee. 

42T  L-  M.  Watts. 

The  Vanity  of  Earthly  Desires. 

1  Man  has  a  soul  of  vast  desires, 
He  burns  within  with  restless  fires ; 
Tost  to  and  fro,  his  passions  fly 
From  vanity  to  vanity. 

343 


AFFLICTIONS  AND 

2  In  vain  on  earth  we  hope  to  find 
Some  solid  good  to  fill  the  mind ; 
We  try  new  pleasures,  but  we  feel 
The  inward  thirst  and  torment  still. 

3  So  when  a  racing  fever  burns. 
We  shift  from  side  to  side  by  turns, 
And  'tis  a  poor  relief  we  gain, 

To  change  the  place,  but  keep  the  pain. 

4  Great  God,  subdue  this  vicious  thirst, 
This  love  to  vanity  and  dust ; 

O  cure  the  fever  of  the  mind, 

And  feed  our  souls  with  joys  refined. 

42§  C.  M.  Watts. 

Earthly  Pleasures  Dangerous. 

1  How  vain  are  all  things  here  below, 

How  false,  and  yet  how  fair ! 
Each  pleasure  has  its  poison  too, 
And  ev'ry  sweet  a  snare. 

2  The  brightest  things  below  the  sky 

Give  but  a  flatt'ring  light; 
We  should  suspect  some  danger  nigh, 
Where  we  possess  delight. 

3  The  fondness  of  a  creature's  love, 

How  strong  it  strikes  the  sense ! 
Thither  the  warm  affections  move, 
'Tis  hard  to  call  them  thence. 

4  Be  faith  and  hope  and  love  divine 

My  soul's  eternal  food ; 

344 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  429,  430 

- 

And  wean  my  fond,  my  anxious  heart 
From  all  created  good. 

429  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Temptations  of  the  World, 

1  When  in  the  light  of  things  divine 

We  look  on  things  below, 
Honor  and  gold  and  sensual  joy 
How  vain  and  dang'rous  too ! 

2  Honor's  a  puff  of  empty  breath, 

Yet  men  pour  out  their  blood 
And  venture  everlasting  loss 
To  gain  that  airy  good. 

3  Whilst  others  starve  the  nobler  mind 

And  feed  on  shining  dust, 
They  sacrifice  eternal  bliss 
To  mean  and  sordid  lust. 

4  God  is  my  all-sufficient  good, 

My  portion  and  my  choice ; 

In  him  my  vast  desires  are  fill'd 

And  all  my  powers  rejoice. 

43 0  C-  M-  Mrs-  Steele. 
True  Pleasure. 

1  How  vain  a  thought  is  bliss  below  ! 

'Tis  all  an  airy  dream ; 
How  empty  are  the  joys  that  flow 
On  pleasure's  smiling  stream  ! 

2  Transparent  now  and  all  serene 

The  gentle  current  flows ; 

345 


431  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

While  fancy  draws  the  flatt'ring  scene, 
How  fair  the  landscape  shows ! 

3  But  soon  its  transient  charms  decay, 

When  ruffling  tempests  blow ; 
The  soft  delusions  fleet  away, 
And  pleasure  ends  in  woe. 

4  O  let  my  nobler  wishes  soar 

Beyond  these  seats  of  night, 
In  heav'n  substantial  bliss  explore 
And  permanent  delight, 

5  There  pleasure  flows  for  ever  clear, 

And  rising  to  the  view 
Such  dazzling  scenes  of  joy  appear 
As  fancy  never  drew. 


6   No  fleeting  landscape  cheats  the  gaze 
Nor  airy  forms  beguile, 
"  But  everlasting  bliss  displays 
Her  undissembled  smiles. 

431  C.  M.  Newton, 

The  Instability  of  Worldly  Enjoyments. 

1  The  evils  that  beset  our  path 

Who  can  prevent  or  cure  ? 
We  stand  upon  the  brink  of  death 
When  most  we  seem  secure. 

2  If  we  to-day  sweet  peace  possess, 

It  soon  may  be  withdrawn ; 
Some  change  may  plunge  us  in  distress 
Before  to-morrow's  dawn. 

346 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  432 

3  Disease  and  pain  invade  our  health, 

And  find  an  easy  prey ; 
And  oft,  when  least  expected,  wealth 
Takes  wings  and  flies  away. 

4  The  grounds  from  which  we  look  for  fruit 

Produce  us  often  pain ; 
A  worm  unseen  attacks  the  root, 
And  all  our  hopes  are  vain. 

5  Since  sin  has  fill'd  the  earth  with  woe, 

And  creatures  fade  and  die, 
Lord,  wean  our  hearts  from  things  below 
And  fix  our  hopes  on  high. 

ZJ.32  L-  M-  Doddridge. 

God  the  Happiness  and  Support  of  his  People. 

1  My  God,  whose  all-pervading  eye 
Views  earth  beneath  and  heav'n  above, 
Witness  if  here  or  there  thou  seest 

An  object  of  mine  equal  love. 

2  Not  the  gay  scenes  where  mortal  men 
Pursue  their  bliss  and  find  their  woe 
Detain  my  rising  heart,  which  springs 
The  nobler  joys  of  heav'n  to  view. 

3  Not  all  the  fairest  sons  of  light 
That  lead  the  army  round  thy  throne 
Can  bound  its  flight ;  it  presseth  on 
And  seeks  its  rest  in  God  alone. 

4  Fix'd  near  th'  immortal  Source  of  bliss, 
Dauntless  and  joyous  it  surveys 

347 


433  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

Each  form  of  horror  and  distress 
That  all  its  deadliest  foes  can  raise. 

5  This  feeble  flesh  shall  faint  and  die, 
This  heart  renew  its  pulse  no  more ; 
Ev'n  now  it  views  the  moment  nigh 
When  life's  last  movements  all  are  o'er. 

6  But  come,  thou  vanquish'd  king  of  dread, 
With  thy  own  hand  thy  pow'r  destroy ; 
'Tis  thine  to  bear  me  to  my  God, 

My  portion,  my  eternal  joy. 

433  C.  M.  Bristol  Col. 

Happiness  in  God  alone. 

1  The  great  Creator,  wise  and  good, 

Who  forms  th'  unerring  plan, 
Implants  a  strong  desire  of  bliss 
Within  his  creature  man. 

2  But  still  these  grov'ling  minds  of  ours 

Forget  their  noble  birth, 

And  with  incessant  labor  toil 

For  happiness  on  earth. 

3  Pleasure's  delusive  form  we  trace 

Or  dig  for  shining  ore, 
At  honor's  gaudy  shrine  we  bow 
Or  grasp  at  boundless  pow'r. 

4  Ah  cease,  my  soul,  these  wild  pursuits, 

And  upwards  turn  thine  eyes ; 
See  where  thy  gracious  Maker's  hand 
Holds  forth  the  glorious  prize. 

348 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  434,  435 


This  precious  gem  is  found  alone 

In  his  paternal  love ; 
Be  this  the  centre  of  my  hopes, 

Nor  hence  my  passions  rove, 


434  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Hope  of  Heaven  our  Support  under  Trials  on  Earth. 

1  When  I  can  read  my  title  clear 

To  mansions  in  the  skies, 
I  bid  farewell  to  ev'ry  fear 
And  dry  my  weeping  eyes. 

2  Should  earth  against  my  peace  engage, 

And  all  its  darts  be  hurl'd, 
Then  could  I  smile  to  see  its  rage 
And  face  a  frowning  world. 

3  Though  cares  like  a  wild  deluge  come, 

And  storms  of  sorrow  fall, 
May  I  but  safely  reach  my  home, 
My  God,  my  heav'n,  my  All. 

4  In  those  bright  realms,  thou,  O  my  soul, 

Shalt  find  eternal  rest, 
Nor  shall  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 
Across  my  peaceful  breast. 

485  C-  M-  Doddridge. 

Present  Sufferings  and  Future  Glory. 

1  How  rich  thy  favors,  God  of  grace, 
How  various,  how  divine  ! 

2  E  349 


436  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

Full  as  the  ocean  they  are  pour'd, 
And  bright  as  heav'n  they  shine. 

2  God  to  eternal  glory  calls, 

And  leads  the  wondrous  way 
To  his  own  palace,  where  he  reigns 
In  uncreated  day. 

3  The  songs  of  everlasting  years 

That  mercy  shall  attend, 
Which  leads  through  suff'rings  of  an  hour 
To  joys  that  never  end. 

ZJ.3G  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

God  the  Life  and  Light  of  the  Soul. 

1  My  God,  my  hope,  if  thou  art  mine, 
Why  should  my  soul  with  sorrow  pine  ? 
On  thee  alone  I  cast  my  care ; 

O  leave  me  not  in  dark  despair. 

2  Though  ev'ry  comfort  should  depart, 
And  life  forsake  this  drooping  heart, 
One  smile  from  thee,  one  blissful  ray, 
Can  chase  the  shades  of  death  away. 

3  My  God,  my  life,  if  thou  appear, 
Not  death  itself  can  make  me  fear ; 
Thy  presence  cheers  the  sable  gloom, 
And  gilds  the  horrors  of  the  tomb. 

4  Not  all  its  horrors  can  affright, 

If  thou  appear,  my  God,  my  light, 
Thy  love  shall  all  my  fears  control, 
And  glory  dawn  around  my  soul. 

350 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  437,  438 

/&.Q?  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  My  God,  to  thee  my  soul  aspires ; 

Dispel  the  shades  of  night, 
Enlarge  and  fill  my  vast  desires 
With  infinite  delight. 

2  Immortal  joy  thy  smiles  impart, 

Heav'n  dawns  in  ev'ry  ray  • 
One  glimpse  of  thee  will  cheer  my  heart 
And  turn  my  night  to  day. 

3  Not  all  the  good  which  earth  bestows 

Can  fill  the  craving  mind ; 
Its  highest  joys  have  mingled  woes, 
And  leave  a  sting  behind. 

4  Should  boundless  wealth  increase  my  store, 

Can  wealth  my  cares  beguile  ? 
I  should  be  wretched  still  and  poor 
Without  thy  blissful  smile. 

Zj.gg  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

God  our  Portion  in  the  Loss  of  Earthy  Comforts. 

1  Should  famine  o'er  the  mourning  field 
Extend  her  desolating  reign, 

Nor  spring  her  blooming  beauties  yield, 
Nor  autumn  swell  the  fruitful  grain  : 

2  Should  lowing  herds  and  bleating  sheep 
Around  their  famish'd  master  die, 

And  hope  itself  despairing  weep, 
While  life  deplores  its  last  supply  ; 

351 


439  AFFLICTIONS  AND 

3  Amid  the  dark,  the  deathful  scene, 
If  I  can  say,  the  Lord  is  mine, 
The  joy  shall  triumph  o'er  the  pain, 
And  glory  dawn  though  life  decline. 

4  The  God  of  my  salvation  lives ; 
My  nobler  life  he  will  sustain, 
His  word  immortal  vigor  gives, 
Nor  shall  my  glorious  hopes  be  vain. 

5  Thy  presence,  Lord,  can  cheer  my  heart, 
Though  ev'ry  earthly  comfort  die, 

Thy  smiles  can  bid  my  pains  depart 
And  raise  my  sacred  pleasures  high. 

6  O  let  me  hear  thy  blissful  voice, 
Inspiring  life  and  joys  divine ; 
The  barren  desert  shall  rejoice ; 
?Tis  paradise  if  thou  art  mine. 

^.gCJ  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Weeping  Seed-time  and  Joyful  Harvest. 

1  The  darken'd  sky,  how  thick  it  low'rs ! 
Troubled  with  storms  and  big  with  show'rs 
No  cheerful  gleam  of  light  appears, 

But  nature  pours  forth  all  her  tears. 

2  Yet  let  the  sons  of  grace  revive ; 
God  bids  the  soul  that  seeks  him  live, 
And  from  the  gloomiest  shag^e  of  night 
Calls  forth  a  morning  of  delight. 

3  The  seeds  of  ecstacy  unknown 
Are  in  these  water'd  furrows  sown, 

352 


CHANGES  OF  LIFE.  439 

See  the  green  blades,  how  quick  they  rise ! 
And  with  fresh  verdure  bless  our  eyes. 

In  secret  foldings  they  contain 
Unnumber'd  ears  of  golden  grain ; 
And  heav'n  shall  pour  its  beams  around 
Till  the  ripe  harvest  load  the  ground. 

Then  shall  the  trembling  mourner  come, 
And  find  his  sheaves  and  bring  them  home ; 
The  voice  long  broke  with  sighs  shall  sing 
Till  heav'n  with  hallelujahs  ring. 

2  E* 


PART  XIV. 

LIFE,  DEATH,  JUDGMENT,  AND  A  FUTURE  STATE. 


440  C-  M-  Watts. 

The  Shortness  of  Life  and  the  Goodness  of  God. 

1  Time,  what  an  empty  vapor  'tis  ! 

Our  days,  how  swift  they  are ! 
Swift  as  an  Indian  arrow  flies, 
Or  like  a  shooting  star. 

2  Successive  moments  just  appear, 

Then  slide  away  in  haste ; 
Nor  can  we  ever  say,  "They're  here," 
But  only  "They  are  past." 

3  Our  life  is  ever  on  the  wing, 

And  death  is  ever  nigh ; 
To  live  no  sooner  we  begin 
Than  we  begin  to  die. 

4  Yet,  mighty  God,  our  fleeting  days 

Thy  constant  favors  share ; 
Thy  bounties  in  ten  thousand  ways 
Still  crown  the  rolling  year. 

5  His  goodness  runs  an  endless  round  ; 

All  glory  to  the  Lord ; 
His  mercy  never  knows  a  bound, 
And  be  his  name  adored. 

354 


LIFE,  DEATH,  JUDGMENT,  ETC.  441 

6  Thus  we  begin  the  lasting  song ; 
And  when  in  dust  we  lie, 
Let  age  to  age  thy  praise  prolong 
Till  time  and  nature  die. 

441  C.  M.  Watts. 

Man  Mortal,  and  God  Eternal. 

1  Our  God,  our  help  in  ages  past, 

Our  hope  for  years  to  come, 
Our  shelter  from  the  stormy  blast, 
And  our  eternal  home  : 

2  Before  the  hills  in  order  stood, 

Or  earth  received  her  frame, 
From  everlasting  thou  art  God, 
To  endless  years,  the  same. 

3  Thy  word  commands  our  flesh  to  dust, 

"  Return,  ye  sons  of  men ;" 
All  nations  rose  from  earth  at  first, 
And  turn  to  earth  again. 

4  The  busy  tribes  of  flesh  and  blood, 

With  all  their  hopes  and  fears, 
Are  carried  downwards  by  the  flood, 
And  lost  in  foil' wing  years. 

5  Like  flow'ry  fields  the  nations  stand, 

Pleased  with  the  morning  light ; 
The  flow'rs  beneath  the  mower's  hand 
Lie  with 'ring  ere  'tis  night. 

6  Our  God,  our  help  in  ages  past, 

Our  hope  for  years  to  come, 

355 


442  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

Be  thou  our  guard  while  troubles  last, 
And  our  eternal  home. 


zjzf.2  k.  M.  Doddridge. 

Mutability  of  the  Creation  and  Immutability  of  God. 

1  Great  Former  of  this  various  frame, 
We  reverence  thine  awful  name, 
And  bow  and  tremble  while  we  praise 
The  Ancient  of  eternal  days. 

2  Thou,  Lord,  with  unsurprised  survey 
Saw'st  nature  rising  yesterday, 

And  as  to-morrow  shall  thine  eye 
See  earth  and  stars  in  ruin  lie. 

3  Beyond  an  angel's  vision  bright, 
Thou  dwell' st  in  self-existent  light, 
Which  shines  with  undiminish'd  ray 
While  suns  and  worlds  in  smoke  decay. 

4  Our  days  a  transient  period  run, 
And  change  with  ev'ry  circling  sun ; 
And  in  the  firmest  state  we  boast 

A  moth  can  crush  us  into  dust. 

5  But  let  the  creatures  fall  around, 
Let  death  consign  us  to  the  ground, 
Let  the  last  gen'ral  flame  arise, 
And  melt  the  arches  of  the  skies ; 

6  Calm  as  the  summer's  ocean  we 
Can  all  the  wreck  of  nature  see, 

356 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  443,  444 


While  grace  secures  us  an  abode 
Unshaken  as  the  throne  of  God. 


443  C.  M.  Watts. 

Life,  Old  Age,  and  Preparation  for  Death. 

1  Life  like  a  vain  amusement  flies, 

A  fable  or  a  song  ; 
By  swift  degrees  our  nature  dies, 
Nor  can  our  joys  be  long. 

2  Time  like  an  ever  flowing  stream 

Bears  all  its  sons  away ; 
They  fly  forgotten,  as  a  dream 
Dies  at  the  op'ning  day. 

3  There  are  but  few  whose  days  amount 

To  threescore  years  and  ten, 
And  oft  beyond  that  short  account 
'Tis  sorrow,  toil  and  pain. 

4  Teach  us,  O  God,  the  heav'nly  art 

T'  improve  the  hours  we  have, 
That  we  may  choose  the  better  part, 
And  live  beyond  the  grave. 

444  C.  M.  Watts. 
T7ie  Vanity  of  Human  Life* 

1  Teach  me  the  measure  of  my  days, 
Thou  Maker  of  my  frame ; 
I  would  survey  life's  narrow  space, 
And  learn  how  frail  I  am. 

357 


445  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

2  A  span  is  all  that  we  can  boast, 

A  fleeting  hour  of  time ; 
Man  is  but  vanity  and  dust 
In  all  his  flow'r  and  prime. 

3  See  the  vain  race  of  mortals  move 

Like  shadows  o'er  the  plain ; 
They  rage  and  strive,  desire  and  love, 
But  all  the  noise  is  vain. 

4  Some  walk  in  honor's  gaudy  show, 

Some  dig  for  golden  ore ; 
They  toil  for  heirs,  they  know  not  who, 
And  straight  are  seen  no  more. 

5  What  should  I  wish  or  wait  for  then, 

From  creatures,  earth  and  dust? 
They  make  our  expectations  vain 
And  disappoint  our  trust. 

6  Now  I  resign  my  earthly  hope, 

My  fond  desires  recall ; 
I  give  my  mortal  int'rest  up, 
And  make  my  God  my  all. 

445  C.  M.  H.  M. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Our  life  is  but  an  idle  play, 

Various  as  winds  that  blow ; 
We  laugh  and  sport  our  hours  away, 
Nor  heed  approaching  woe. 

2  See  the  fair  cheek  of  beauty  fade, 

Frail  glory  of  an  hour ; 

358 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  446 

And  blooming  youth  with  sick'ning  head 
Droop  like  the  dying  flow'r. 

3  Our  pleasures  like  the  morning  sun 

Diffuse  a  natt'ring  light, 
But  gloomy  clouds  obscure  their  noon, 
And  soon  they  sink  in  night. 

4  Wealth,  pomp  and  honor  we  behold 

With  an  admiring  eye, 
Like  summer  insects  dress'd  in  gold, 
That  flutter,  shine  and  die. 

5  Then  rise,  my  soul,  and  soar  away 

Above  the  thoughtless  crowd, 
Above  the  pleasures  of  the  gay, 
And  splendors  of  the  proud ; 

6  Up  where  eternal  beauties  bloom 

And  pleasures  all  divine, 
Where  wealth  that  never  can  consume 
And  endless  glories  shine. 

44©  C-  M-  Watts. 

The  Precarious  Tenure  of  Life. 

1  Thee  we  adore,  Eternal  name, 

And  humbly  own  to  thee 
How  feeble  is  our  mortal  frame, 
What  dying  worms  are  we. 

2  Our  wasting  lives  are  short'ning  still 

As  months  and  days  increase, 
And  ev'ry  beating  pulse  we  tell 
Leaves  but  the  number  less. 

359 


447  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

3  The  year  rolls  round  and  steals  away 

The  breath  that  first  it  gave ; 

Whate'er  we  do,  where'er  w^e  be, 

We're  trav'lling  to  the  grave. 

4  Dangers  stand  thick  through  all  the  ground 

To  push  us  to  the  tomb, 
And  fierce  diseases  wait  around 
To  hurry  mortals  home. 

5  Yet  while  a  world  of  joy  or  woe 

Depends  on  ev'ry  breath, 
Thoughtless  and  unconcern' d  we  go 
Upon  the  brink  of  death. 

6  Waken,  O  Lord,  our  drowsy  sense 

To  walk  this  dang'rous  road, 
That  we  may  find  when  summon' d  hence 
The  grave  the  path  to  Gocl. 

\£?y  CM.  Doddridge. 

God's  Compassion  to  Human  Frailty. 

1  Lord,  we  adore  thy  wondrous  name, 

And  make  that  name  our  trust, 
W^hich  raised  at  first  this  curious  frame 
From  mean  and  lifeless  dust. 

2  Awhile  these  frail  machines  endure, 

The  fabric  of  a  day, 
Then  know  their  vital  pow'rs  no  more, 
But  moulder  back  to  clay. 

3  Yet,  Lord,  whate'er  is  felt  or  fear'd, 

This  thought  is  our  repose, 

360 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  448 

That  lie  by  whom  our  frame  was  rear'd 
Its  various  frailties  knows. 

Thou  view'st  us  with  a  pitying  eye 

While  struggling  with  our  load, 

In  pains  and  dangers  thou  art  nigh, 

Our  Father  and  our  God. 
* 

Gently  supported  by  thy  love, 

We  tend  to  realms  of  peace, 
Where  ev'ry  pain  shall  far  remove 

And  ev'ry  danger  cease. 


ZJ.Z|§  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Warnings  of  Mortality. 

1  That  awful  hour  will  soon  appear, 
Swift  on  the  wings  of  time  it  flies, 
When  all  that  pains  or  pleases  here 
Will  vanish  from  my  closing  eyes. 

2  Death  calls  my  friends,  my  neighbors  hence, 
And  none  resist  the  fatal  dart ; 
Continual  warnings  strike  my  sense, 

And  shall  they  fail  to  strike  my  heart  ? 

3  Think,  O  my  soul,  how  much  depends 
On  the  short  period  of  to-day  : 

Shall  time,  which  heav'n  in  mercy  lends, 
Be  negligently  thrown  away  ? 

4  Thy  remnant  minutes  strive  to  use, 
Awake,  rouse  ev'ry  active  pow'r, 

2  F  361 


449  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

And  not  in  dreams  and  trifles  lose 
This  little,  this  important  honr. 

5  Lord  of  my  life,  inspire  my  heart 
With  heav'nly  ardor,  grace  divine, 
Nor  let  thy  presence  e'er  depart, 

For  strength  and  life  and  death  are  thine. 

6  O  teach  me  the  celestial  skill 
Each  awful  warning  to  improve ; 

And  while  my  days  are  shortening  still, 
Prepare  me  for  the  joys  above. 

4t4L0  ^'  ^*  Doddridge. 

Reflections  on  the  State  of  our  Fathers. 

1  How  swift  the  torrent  rolls 
That  bears  us  to  the  sea, 

The  tide  that  bears  our  thoughtless  souls 
To  vast  eternity ! 

2  Our  fathers,  where  are  they, 
With  all  they  call'd  their  own  ? 

Their  joys  and  griefs  and  hopes  and  cares 
And  wealth  and  honor — gone. 

3  There  where  the  fathers  lie 
Must  all  the  children  dwell, 

Nor  other  heritage  possess 
But  such  a  gloomy  cell. 

4  God  of  our  Fathers,  hear, 
Thou  everlasting  Friend, 

While  we  as  on  life's  utmost  verge 
Our  souls  to  thee  commend. 

362 


A  FUTURE  STATE,  450,  451 

5       Of  all  the  pious  dead 

May  we  the  footsteps  trace, 
Till  with  them  in  the  land  of  light 
We  dwell  before  thy  face. 

^UU  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Our  Lives  in  the  Hand  of  God. 

1  Sov'reign  of  life,  before  thine  eye, 
Lo,  mortal  men  by  thousands  die ; 

One  glance  from  thee  at  once  brings  down 
The  proudest  brow  that  wears  a  crown. 

2  Banish'd  at  once  from  human  sight 
To  the  dark  grave's  unchanging  night, 
Imprison' d  in  that  dusty  bed, 

We  hide  our  solitary  head. 

3  The  friendly  band  no  more  shall  greet, 
Accents  familiar  once  and  sweet, 

No  more  the  well-known  features  trace, 
No  more  renew  the  fond  embrace. 

4  Yet  if  my  Father's  faithful  hand 
Conduct  me  through  this  gloomy  land, 
My  soul  with  pleasure  shall  obey, 
And  follow  where  he  leads  the  way. 

4151  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

TJie  Great  Journey. 

1  Behold  the  path  which  mortals  tread 
Down  to  the  regions  of  the  dead, 
Nor  will  the  fleeting  moments  stay, 
Nor  can  we  measure  back  our  way. 

363 


452  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

2  Our  kindred  and  our  friends  are  gone, 
Know,  O  my  soul,  this  doom  thy  own  ; 
Feeble  as  theirs  thy  mortal  frame, 
The  same  thy  way,  thy  home  the  same. 

3  From  vital  air,  from  cheerful  light, 
To  the  cold  grave's  perpetual  night, 
From  scenes  of  duty,  means  of  grace. 
Must  I  to  God's  tribunal  pass. 

4  Awake,  my  soul,  thy  way  prepare, 
And  lose  in  this  each  meaner  care ; 
With  steady  feet  that  path  be  trod 
"Which  through  the  grave  conducts  to  God. 

5  Father,  to  thee  my  all  I  trust ; 
And  if  my  flesh  return  to  dust, 
'Tis  thy  decree,  I  bless  thy  hand, 
And  die  resign' d  at  thy  command. 

ZJ-52  C-  M-  Edinburgh  Col. 

The  Peace  of  the  Grave. 

1  How  still  and  peaceful  is  the  grave  ! 

Where,  life's  vain  tumults  past, 
Th'  appointed  house  by  heav'n's  decree 
Receives,  us  all  at  last. 

2  The  wicked  there  from  troubling  cease, 

Their  passions  rage  no  more, 
And  there  the  weary  pilgrims  rests 
From  all  the  toils  he  bore. 

3  There  rest  the  pris'ners  now  released 

From  slav'ry's  sad  abode ; 

364 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  453 

No  more  they  hear  th'  oppressor's  voice, 
Or  dread  the  tyrant's  rod. 

4  There  servants,  masters,  small  and  great, 

Partake  the  same  repose ; 
And  there  in  peace  the  ashes  mix 
Of  those  who  once  were  foes. 

5  All,  levell'd  by  the  hand  of  death, 

Lie  sleeping  in  the  tomb, 
Till  God  in  judgment  call  them  forth 
To  meet  their  righteous  doom. 


z|_53  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Tie  Wisdom  of  Redeeming  Time. 

1  God  of  eternity,  from  thee 

Did  infant  time  his' being  draw; 
Moments  and  days  and  months  and  years 
Revolve  by  thy  unvaried  law. 

2  Silent  and  slow  they  glide  away ; 
Steady  and  strong  the  current  flows, 
Lost  in  eternity's  wide  sea, 

The  boundless  gulf  from  which  it  rose. 

3  Thoughtless  and  vain,  our  mortal  race 
Along  the  mighty  stream  are  borne 
On  to  their  everlasting  home, 

That  country  whence  there's  no  return. 

4  Yet,  while  the  shore  on  either  side 
Presents  a  gaudy  flatt'ring  show, 
We  gaze,  in  fond  amusement  lost, 
Nor  think  to  what  a  world  we  go. 

2  f*  365 


454  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

5  Great  Source  of  wisdom,  teach  my  heart 
To  know  the  price  of  ev'ry  hour, 
That  time  may  bear  me  on  to  joys 
Beyond  its  measure  and  its  pow'r. 


454  l.  m. 

The  Lapse  of  Time  Improved. 

1  Swift  glide  the  hours  of  life  away ; 
So  shall  our  vital  pow'rs  decay : 
Momentous  moral  to  mankind ! 
Deep  be  it  fix'd  in  ev'ry  mind ! 

2  Time  and  its  joys  will  soon  be  past ; 
But  virtue,  freedom,  truth  shall  last : 
Let  these  inspire  the  glowing  breast, 
For  these  alone  can  make  man  blest. 

3  The  lessons  of  the  good  and  wise 
Let  not  vain  mortals  dare  despise  : 
And  while  we  view  time's  silent  stream, 
O  may  it  be  our  steadfast  aim, 

4  From  passion  free,  and  free  from  strife. 
'Midst  the  tumultuous  ills  of  life, 
Still  calm,  unruffled  and  serene, 

To  fill  our  part  in  this  great  scene  : 


And  while  life's  sands  are  running  out, 
Prepared  without  or  fear  or  doubt 
T'  obey  the  mandate  from  on  high, 
The  awful  summons — Thou  must  die. 

366 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  455 

4L55  S.  M.  Doddridge. 

A  Timely  Improvement  of  Life, 

The  swift-declining  day, 
How  fast  its  moments  fly  ! 
While  ev'ning's  broad  and  gloomy  shade 
Spreads  o'er  the  western  sky. 

Ye  mortals,  mark  its  pace, 
Improve  the  hours  of  light, 
And  know  your  Maker  can  command 
An  instantaneous  night. 

His  word  blots  out  the  sun 
In  its  meridian  blaze, 
And  cuts  from  smiling  vig'rous  youth 
The  remnant  of  its  days. 

On  the  dark  mountain's  brow 
Your  feet  shall  quickly  slide, 
And  from  its  airy  summit  dash 
Your  momentary  pride. 

Give  glory  to  the  Lord, 
Who  rules  the  rolling  sphere ; 
Submissive  at  his  footstool  bow, 
And  seek  salvation  there. 

Then  shall  new  lustre  break 
Through  horror's  darkest  gloom, 
And  lead  you  to  unchanging  light 
In  a  celestial  home. 

367 


456,  457  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

4L5CI  ^'  ^*  Doddridge. 

The  Near  Approach  of  Salvation  a  Motive  to  Diligence. 

1  Christians,  awake,  and  raise  your  eyes, 

And  raise  your  voices  high ; 
Awake,  and  praise  your  Maker's  love, 
Which  shows  salvation  nigh. 

2  Swift  on  the  wings  of  time  it  flies, 

Each  moment  brings  it  near ; 
Then  welcome  each  declining  day, 
Welcome  each  closing  'year. 

3  Not  many  years  their  round  shall  run 

Nor  many  mornings  rise, 
Ere  all  its  glories  stand  reveal'd 
To  our  admiring  eyes. 

4  Ye  wheels  of  nature,  speed  your  course, 

Ye  mortal  pow'rs,  decay ; 
Sure  as  ye  bring  the  night  of  death, 
Ye  bring  eternal  day. 


Z|.|5iy  S.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Watchful  Christian. 

Ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
Each  in  his  office  wait, 
Observant  of  his  heav'nly  word, 
And  watchful  at  his  gate. 

Let  all  your  lamps  be  bright, 
And  trim  the  golden  flame, 

3G8 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  458 

Gird  up  your  loins,  as  in  his  sight, 
For  awful  is  his  name. 

Watch,  'tis  your  Lord's  command ; 

And  while  we  speak  he's  near ; 
Mark  the  first  signal  of  his  hand, 

And  ready  all  appear. 

W 

O  happy  servant  he 

In  such  a  posture  found ; 
He  shall  his  Lord  with  rapture  see, 

And  be  with  honor  crown' d. 

ZJJIg  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Christian  Watchfulness. 

Awake,  my  drowsy  soul,  awake, 
And  view  the  threat'ning  scene ; 

Legions  of  foes  encamp  around, 
And  treach'ry  lurks  within. 

'Tis  not  this  mortal  life  alone 

These  enemies  assail ; 
How  canst  thou  hope  for  future  bliss 

If  their  attempts  prevail  ? 

Now  to  the  work  of  God  awake ; 

Behold  thy  master  near ; 
The  various,  arduous  task  pursue 

With  vigor  and  with  fear. 

The  awful  register  goes  on, 
Th'  account  will  surely  come ; 

And  op'ning  day  or  closing  night 
May  bear  me  to  my  doom. 

369 


459  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

5  Tremendous  thought,  how  deep  it  strikes  ! 
Yet  like  a  dream  it  flies, 
Till  God's  own  voice  the  slumbers  chase 
From  these  deluded  eyes. 

Oi>J 

459  L.  M.  S.  Wesley. 

The  Frailty  of  Life,  and  Unchangeableness  of  Truth. 

1  The  morning  flow'rs  display  their  sweets 
And  gay  their  silken  leaves  unfold, 

As  careless  of  the  noon-day  heats, 
And  fearless  of  the  ev'ning  cold. 

2  Nipt  by  the  wind's  unkindly  blast, 
Parch'd  by  the  sun's  directer  ray, 
The  momentary  glories  waste, 
The  short-lived  beauties  die  away. 

3  So  blooms  the  human  face  divine 
When  youth  its  pride  and  beauty  show  s  : 
Fairer  than  spring  the  colors  shine. 
And  sweeter  than  the  virgin  rose. 

4  Or  worn  by  slowly  rolling  years, 
Or  broke  by  sickness  in  a  day, 
The  fading  glory  disappears, 
The  short-lived  beauties  die  away. 

5  Yet  these  new  rising  from  the  tomb. 
With  lustre  brighter  far  shall  shine, 
Revive  with  ever-during  bloom, 
Safe  from  diseases  and  decline. 

370 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  460 

Let  sickness  blast  and  death  devour 
Since  heav'n  will  recompense  our  pains, 
Perish  the  grass  and  fade  the  rlow'r 
Since  firm  the  word  of  God  remains. 


460  P*  M-  Watts 

Life,  Death,  and  the  Resurrection. 

Eternal  God,  how  frail  is  man, 

How  few  his  hours,  how  short  his  span ! 

Short  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave ; 
Who  can  secure  his  vital  breath 
Against  the  bold  demands  of  death, 

With  skill  to  fly  or  pow'r  to  save  ? 


But  shall  it  therefore,  Lord,  be  said 
The  race  of  man  was  only  made 

For  sickness,  sorrow  and  the  dust  ? 
Or  if  thy  servants  day  by  day 
Sink  to  their  graves  and  turn  to  clay, 

Thou  hast  no  kindness  for  the  just  ? 

Hast  thou  not  given  to  thy  Son 
An  endless  life,  a  heav'nly  crown  ? 

Why  then  should  flesh  and  sense  despair? 
For  ever  blessed  be  the  Lord, 
That  we  can  read  his  holy  word, 

And  find  a  resurrection  there. 

For  ever  blessed  be  the  Lord, 
Who  gives  his  servants  a  reward 

For  all  their  toil,  reproach  and  pain : 
Let  all  below  and  all  above 
Join  to  proclaim  thy  wondrous  love, 

And  each  repeat  their  loud  Amen. 

371 


461  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

4^61  L*  M#  Merrick. 

Death  and  the  Resurrection. 

1  Ye  nations,  hear,  ye  sons  of  earth 
Of  highest  or  obscurest  birth, 

Ye  who  from  wealth's  full  board  are  fed, 
And  ye  who  eat  with  toil  your  bread. 

2  Cease,  mortals,  cease  your  pride,  nor  dream 
That  riches  shall  from  death  redeem ; 

In  vain  would  friendship's  zeal  essay 
The  full  equivalent  to  pay : 

3  For  man,  with  erring  pride  elate, 
And  high  in  pow'r,  in  honor  great, 
Shares  with  the  brute  an  equal  doom, 
And  sleeps  forgotten  in  the  tomb. 

4  Together  now  behold  them  laid 

As  sheep  when  night  extends  her  shade, 
While  death  within  the  vaulted  rock, 
Stern  shepherd,  guards  the  slumb'ring  flock. 

5  Ye  just,  exulting  lift  your  eyes, 
Behold  the  promised  morn  arise 
That  bids  you  o'er  each  haughty  foe 
Exalted  endless  triumphs  know. 

6  My  soul  amidst  your  happy  train 
The  wish'd  redemption  shall  obtain, 
By  God  adopted,  death  shall  brave, 
And  mock  the  disappointed  grave. 

372 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  462,  463 

4©2  L-  M-  Merrick. 

Hope  of  a  Resurrection, 

1  Father  of  all,  my  soul  defend, 

On  thee  my  steadfast  hopes  depend, 
Thee  let  me  bless,  the  faithful  guide 
Whose  counsels  o'er  my  life  preside. 

2  Though  to  the  grave  I  must  descend, 
For  thus  has  heav'n's  high  will  ordain'd, 
Yet  hope  e'en  there  my  constant  guest, 
Shall  smooth  the  pillow  of  my  rest. 

3  Though  death  awhile  reign  o'er  my  frame. 
Thou  from  the  grave  my  life  wilt  claim, 
And  to  my  eyes  in  full  survey 

The  op'ning  paths  of  life  display. 

4  Those  paths  that  to  thy  presence  bear ; 
For  plenitude  of  bliss  is  there ; 

And  pleasure's  streams  unmix'd  with  woe 
At  thy  right  hand  for  ever  flow. 


4(53  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  My  faith  and  hope  in  God  are  strong, 
If  with  his  gracious  presence  blest, 
Be  glad,  my  heart,  rejoice,  my  tongue, 
My  dying  flesh  in  hope  shall  rest. 

2  Though  in  the  dust  I  lay  my  head, 
Yet,  gracious  God,  thou  wilt  not  leave 

2  G  373 


464  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

My  soul  for  ever  with  the  dead, 
Nor  lose  thy  children  in  the  grave. 

3  My  flesh  shall  thy  first  call  obey, 
Shake  off  the  dust  and  rise  on  high ; 
Then  shalt  thou  lead  the  wondrous  way 
Up  to  thy  throne  above  the  sky. 


4L64:  C-  M.  Edinburgh  Col. 

The  Vegetable  Creation  an  Emblem  of  the  Resurrection. 

1  All  nature  dies,  and  lives  again ; 

The  flow'r  that  paints  the  field, 
The  trees,  that  crown  the  mountain's  brow 
And  boughs  and  blossoms  yield, 

2  Resign  the  honors  of  their  form 

At  winter's  stormy  blast, 
And  leave  the  naked,  leafless  plain 
A  desolated  waste. 

3  Yet  soon  reviving  plants  and  flow'rs 

Anew  shall  deck  the  plain, 
The  woods  shall  hear  the  voice  of  spring 
And  flourish  green  again. 

4  So  to  the  dreary  grave  consign'd, 

Man  sleeps  in  death's  dark  gloom, 
Until  th'  eternal  morning  wake 
The  slumbers  of  the  tomb. 

5  O  may  the  grave  become  to  me 

The  bed  of  peaceful  rest, 

374 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  465,  466 

Whence  I  shall  gladly  rise  at  length, 
And  mingle  with  the  blest. 

6  Cheer'd  by  this  hope,  with  patient  mind 
I'll  wait  heav'n's  high  decree, 
Till  the  appointed  period  come 
When  death  shall  set  me  free. 

465  C.  M.  Watts. 

Triumph  over  Death. 

1  Great  God,  I  own  thy  sentence  just, 

And  nature  must  decay ; 
I  yield  my  body  to  the  dust, 
To  dwell  with  fellow-clay. 

2  Yet  faith  may  triumph  o'er  the  grave, 

And  trample  on  the  tombs, 
Since  God,  my  Father,  ever  lives, 
And  my  Redeemer  comes. 

3  The  mighty  conqu'ror  shall  appear 

High  on  a  royal  seat, 
And  death,  the  last  of  all  his  foes, 
Lie  vanquish'd  at  his  feet. 

46©  CM.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Victory  over  Death  through  Christ. 

1  When  death  appears  before  my  sight 

In  all  his  dire  array, 
Unequal  to  the  dreadful  fight, 
My  courage  dies  away. 

2  How  shall  I  meet  this  potent  foe, 

Whose  frown  my  soul  alarms  ? 

375 


467  LIFE  DEATH,  AND 

Dark  horror  sits  upon  his  brow. 
And  vict'ry  waits  his  arms. 

3  But  see,  my  glorious  leader  nigh, 

Jesus  my  Saviour  lives ; 
Before  him  death's  pale  terrors  fly, 
And  my  faint  heart  revives. 

4  O  God,  be  thou  my  sure  defence, 

My  guard  for  ever  near, 
And  faith  shall  triumph  over  sense, 
And  never  yield  to  fear. 

5  O  may  I  meet  the  dreadful  hour 

With  fortitude  divine ; 
Sustain'd  by  thy  almighty  pow'r, 
The  conquest  must  be  mine. 

4©7  L.  M.  Watts. 

A  Happy  Resurrection. 

1  No,  I'll  repine  at  death  no  more, 
But  calm  and  cheerful  will  resign 
To  the  cold  dungeon  of  the  grave 
These  dying,  with'ring  limbs  of  mine. 

2  Let  worms  devour  my  wasting  flesh 
And  crumble  all  my  bones  to  dust ; 
My  God  shall  raise  my  frame  anew 
At  the  revival  of  the  just. 

3  Break,  sacred  morning,  through  the  skies. 
And  usher  in  that  glorious  day ; 

Come  quickly,  Lord,  cut  short  the  hours ; 
Thy  ling'ring  wheels,  how  long  they  stay ! 

370 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  468,  469 

U  O  haste  -upon  the  wings  of  love, 
Rouse  all  the  pious  sleeping  clay, 
That  we  may  join  in  heav'nly  joys 
And  sing  the  glories  of  the  day. 


_|68  L.  M.  Merrick. 

God  the  Supreme  Judge. 

1  O  tell  to  all  whom  earth  sustains, 
O  tell  them  that  Jehovah  reigns, 
That  all  who  issue  from  its  womb 
Shall  hear  from  him  th'  unerring  doom. 

2  Exult,  ye  heav'ns,  exult,  O  earth, 
And,  partner  in  the  sacred  mirth, 
Let  ocean  in  its  fulness  rise 
And  thunder  to  the  distant  skies. 

3  Rich  in  his  gifts,  ye  fields,  rejoice, 
While  in  his  praise  the  woods  their  voice 
Exalt  and  hail  with  lowly  nod 

The  presence  of  th'  approaching  God. 

4  He  comes  in  awful  pomp  array 'd, 

He  comes  to  judge  the  world  he  made ; 
Truth  shall  with  him  the  cause  decide, 
And  equity  his  sentence  guide. 

4-60  CM.  Doddridge. 

Death  and  Judgment. 

1  Heav'n  has  confirm'd  the  great  decree, 
That  Adam's  race  must  die ; 

2  g*  377 


470  LIFE.  DEATH,  AND 

One  gen'ral  ruin  sweeps  them  down. 
And  low  in  dust  they  lie. 

2  Ye  living  men,  the  tomb  survey, 

Where  you  must  quickly  dwell; 
Hark  how  the  awful  summons  sounds 
In  ev'ry  fun'ral  knell. 

3  Once  you  must  die,  and  once  for  all ; 

The  solemn  purport  weigh ; 
For  know  that  heav'n  and  hell  are  hung 
On  that  important  day. 

4  Those  eyes  so  long  in  darkness  veil'd 

Must  wake  the  judge  to  see, 
And  ev'ry  word  and  ev'ry  thought 
Must  pass  his  scrutiny. 

5  O  may  I  in  the  judge  behold 

My  Saviour  and  my  friend, 
And  far  beyond  the  reach  of  death 
With  all  his  saints  ascend. 

4^0  L.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Just  Judgment  of  God. 

1  The  Lord,  th'  Almighty  Monarch,  spake, 
And  bade  the  earth  the  summons  take  ; 
Far  as  his  eye  the  realms  survey 

Of  rising  and  declining  day. 

2  Reveal'd  from  Zion's  sacred  bound, 
The  seat  with  matchless  beauty  crown'd, 
Our  God  his  course  shall  downward  bend, 
Nor  silent  to  his  work  descend. 

378 


A  FUTURE  STATE .  ill 

3  Heav'n  from  above  shall  hear  his  call, 
And  thou,  the  vast  terrestrial  ball^ 
While  man's  whole  race  their  judge  shall 

meet 
In  countless  throngs  before  his  seat. 

4  Th'    applauding   heav'ns    the    changeless 

doom, 
While  God  the  balance  shall  assume, 
In  full  memorial  shall  record, 
And  own  the  justice  of  their  Lord. 


4^1  P.  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  The  God  of  glory  sends  his  summons  forth, 
Calls   the   south   nations  and  awakes  the 

north ; 
From   east   to   west   his   sov'reign    orders 

spread, 
Through  distant  worlds  and  regions  of  the 
dead. 
The  trumpet  sounds,  hell  trembles,  heav'n 

rejoices ; 
Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  saints,  with  cheerful 
voices. 


2  No  more  shall  atheists  mock  his  long  delay, 
His  vengeance  sleeps  no  more;  behold  the 

day, 
Behold  the  Judge  descends,  his  guards  are 

nigh; 
Tempest  and  fire  attend  him  down  the  sky. 

379 


472  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

When  God  appears  all  nature  shall  adore  him, 
While  sinners  tremble,  saints  rejoice  before 
him. 

3  Sinners,  awake  betimes,  ye  fools,  be  wise, 
Awake  before  this  dreadful  morning  rise ; 
Change  your  vain  thoughts,  your  crooked 

works  amend, 
Fly  to  the  Saviour,  make  the  Judge  your 
friend ; 
Then  join   the   saints,  wake  ev'ry  cheerful 

passion ; 
When    Christ    returns,    he    comes   for   your 
salvation. 


472  L-  M-  Watts. 

Hypocrisy  Detected  and  Exposed. 

1  The  Lord,  the  Judge,  his  churches  warns, 
Let  hypocrites  attend  and  fear, 

Who  place  their  hopes  in  rites  and  forms, 
But  make  not  faith  and  love  their  care. 

2  They  dare  rehearse  his  awful  name 
With  lips  of  falsehood  and  deceit ; 
A  friend  or  brother  they  defame, 
And  soothe  and  natter  those  they  hate. 

3  They  watch  to  do  their  neighbors  wrong, 
Yet  dare  to  seek  their  Maker's  face ; 
They  take  his  cov'nant  on  their  tongue, 
But  break  his  laws,  abuse  his  grace. 

380 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  473 

4  And  while  his  judgments  long  delay, 
They  grow  secure  and  sin  the  more ; 
They  think  he  sleeps  as  well  as  they, 
And  put  far  off  the  evil  hour. 

5  0  dreadful  hour,  when  God  drawTs  near 
And  sets  their  crimes  before  their  eyes ; 
Anguish  their  guilty  souls  shall  tear. 
And  no  deliv'rer  dare  to  rise. 

zfjyfj  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Transitory  Nature  of  the  World. 

1  Spring  up,  my  soul,  with  ardent  flight, 
Nor  let  this  earth  delude  thy  sight 

With  glitt'ring  trifles,  gay  and  vain ; 
Wisdom  divine  directs  thy  view 
To  objects  ever  grand  and  new, 

And  faith  displays  the  shining  train. 

2  Be  dead,  my  hopes,  to  all  below, 
Nor  let  unbounded  torrents  flow 

When  mourning  o'er  my  wither'd  joys ; 
So  this  deceitful  wxnid  is  known ; 
Possess'd  I  call  it  not  mine  own, 

Nor  glory  in  its  painted  toys. 

3  The  empty  pageant  rolls  along, 
The  giddy,  inexperienced  throng 

Pursue  it  with  enchanted  eyes ; 
It  passeth  in  swift  march  away ; 
Still  more  and  more  its  charms  decay, 

Till  the  last  gaudy  color  dies. 

381 


474,  475  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

4  My  God,  to  thee  my  soul  shall  turn, 
For  thee  my  noblest  passions  burn, 

And  drink  in  bliss  from  thee  alone ; 
I  fix  on  that  unchanging  home 
Where  never-fading  pleasures  bloom, 
Fresh-springing  round  thy  radiant  throne. 

474  C.  M.  Watts. 
The  End  of  the  World. 

1  Why  should  this  earth  delight  us  so  ? 

Why  should  we  fix  our  eyes 
On  these  low  grounds  where  sorrows  grow 
And  ev'ry  pleasure  dies  ? 

2  While  time  his  sharpest  teeth  prepares 

Our  comforts  to  devour, 
There  is  a  land  above  the  stars, 
And  joys  above  his  pow'r. 

3  Nature  shall  be  dissolved  and  die, 

The  sun  must  end  his  race, 
The  earth  and  sea  for  ever  fly 
Before  my  Maker's  face. 

4  When  will  that  glorious  morning  rise, 

When  the  last  trumpet's  sound 
Shall  call  the  nations  to  the  skies 
From  underneath  the  ground  ? 

475  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Hope  of  the  Christian. 

1  What  sinners  value,  I  resign ; 

Lord,  'tis  enough  that  thou  art  mine ; 

382 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  476 

I  shall  behold  thy  blissful  face, 
And  stand  complete  in  righteousness. 

2  This  life's  a  dream,  an  empty  show, 
Bat  the  bright  world  to  which  I  go 
Hath  joys  substantial  and  sincere ; 
When  shall  I  wake  and  find  me  there ! 

3  O  glorious  hour,  O  blest  abode ; 

I  shall  be  near,  and  like  my  God, 
And  flesh  and  sin  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul. 

4  My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  ground 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  joyful  sound, 
Then  burst  the  chains  with  glad  surprise, 
And  in  my  Saviour's  image  rise. 

4^(1  L.  M.  Browne. 

Seeking  the  Things  Above. 

1  To  heav'n,  my  longing  soul,  aspire, 
And  soar  aloft  with  strong  desire ; 
Here  choose  thy  lot,  here  fix  thy  rest, 
And  aim  for  ever  to  be  blest. 

2  Still  keep  yon  blissful  world  in  view, 
And  close  the  glorious  chase  pursue ; 
The  way  leads  up  to  rest  above, 
Through  paths  of  purity  and  love. 

3  This  track  pursue  with  ardent  zeal, 
Each  lust  subdue,  each  foe  repel, 

Still  stretch  thy  wings,  and  upward  rise, 
Eternal  glory  is  the  prize. 

383 


477  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

4*77  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  Christian's  Inheritance. 

1  Ye  humble  souls,  complain  no  more, 
Let  faith  survey  your  future  store ; 
How  happy,  how  divinely  blest, 
The  sacred  words  of  truth  attest, 

2  When  conscious  grief  laments  sincere, 
And  pours  the  penitential  tear, 
Hope  points  to  your  dejected  eyes 

A  bright  reversion  in  the  skies. 

3  In  vain  the  sons  of  wealth  and  pride 
Despise  your  lot,  your  hopes  deride, 
In  vain  they  boast  their  little  stores, 
Trifles  are  theirs,  a  kingdom  yours ; 

4  A  kingdom  of  immense  delight, 
Where  health  and  peace  and  joy  unite, 
Where  undeclining  pleasures  rise, 
And  ev'ry  wish  hath  full  supplies ; 

5  A  kingdom  which  can  ne'er  decay, 
Though  time  sweep  earthly  thrones  away ; 
The  state  which  pow'r  and  truth  sustain, 
Unmoved  forever  must  remain. 

6  Great  God,  to  thee  we  breathe  our  pray'r ; 
If  thou  confirm  our  int'rest  there, 
Enroll'd  among  thy  happy  poor, 

Our  largest  wishes  ask  no  more. 

384 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  478,  479 

^.iyg  C.  M.  Butcher. 

The  same  subject. 

1  With  transport,  Lord,  we  view  the  page 

Where  all  thy  mercies  shine, 
And  joy  to  tell  the  rising  age 
What  boundless  grace  is  thine. 

2  The  world  with  all  its  shifting  schemes, 

Time  with  its  fleeting  hours, 
Life  with  its  gay  and  flatt'ring  dreams, 
Its  hopes  and  fears,  is  ours. 

3  Death  also  at  our  Father's  word 

Lays  all  his  terrors  by, 
Gently  divides  the  "silver  cord," 
And  calls  us  to  the  sky. 

4  Fain  would  our  hearts  a  tribute  bring 

Before  our  Father's  throne, 
A  tribute  worthy  of  our  King, 
Whose  mercies  are  unknown. 


4^9  C.  M.  Watts. 

Hope  of  Heaven  from  the  Resurrection  of  Christ. 

1  Blest  be  the  everlasting  God, 

The  Father  of  our  Lord ; 
Be  his  abounding  mercy  praised, 
His  majesty  adored. 

2  When  from  the  dead  he  raised  his  Son 

And  called  him  to  the  sky, 

2H  385 


4S0  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

He  gave  our  souls  a  lively  hope 
That  they  should  never  die. 

3  What  though  the  frame  of  man  requires 

That  he  should  see  the  dust, 
Since  Christ  our  pledge  and  pattern  rose, 
So  all  his  followers  must. 

4  There's  an  inheritance  divine 

Reserved  against  that  day ; 
'Tis  uncorrupted,  undefiled, 
And  cannot  fade  away. 

5  They  by  the  pow'r  of  God  are  kept 

Till  this  salvation  come ; 
They  walk  by  faith  as  strangers  here 
Till  he  shall  call  them  home. 


z|§©  L.  M.  Bowden. 

The  Happiness  of  Heaven. 

1  From  this  world's  joys  and  senseless  mirth 
O  come,  my  soul,  in  haste  retire, 
Assume  the  grandeur  of  thy  birth, 

And  to  thy  native  heav'n  aspire. 

2  Here's  nought  below  deserves  delay, 
Nought  that  can  bribe  thy  swift  remove. 
No  solid  ground  thy  hopes  to  stay, 

Nor  worthy  object  of  thy  love. 

3  'Tis  heav'n  alone  can  make  thee  blest, 
Can  ev'ry  wish  and  want  supply ; 

386 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  481 

Thy  joy,  thy  crown,  thy  endless  rest, 
Are  all  above  the  lofty  sky. 

4  There  dwells  the  sov'reign  Lord  of  all, 
The  God  that  all  the  worlds  adore, 
With  whom  is  bliss  that  cannot  pall 
And  joys  that  last  for  evermore. 

Z§_§][  CM.  Mrs.  Steele. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Far  from  these  narrow  scenes  of  night 

Unbounded  glories  rise, 
And  realms  of  infinite  delight 
Unknown  to  mortal  eyes. 

2  Fair  distant  land,  could  mortal  eyes 

But  half  its  charms  explore, 
How  would  our  spirits  long  to  rise 
And  dwell  on  earth  no  more ! 

3  There  pain  and  sickness  never  come, 

There  grief  no  more  complains, 
Health  triumphs  in  immortal  bloom, 
And  purest  pleasure  reigns. 

4  No  malice,  strife  or  envy  there 

The  sons  of  peace  molest, 
But  harmony  and  love  sincere 
Fill  ev'ry  happy  breast. 

5  No  cloud  those  blissful  regions  know, 

For  ever  bright  and  fair, 
For  sin,  the  source  of  mortal  woe. 
Can  never  enter  there. 

387 


482  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

6  There  no  alternate  night  is  known, 

Nor  sun's  faint  sickly  ray, 
But  glory  from  th'  eternal  throne 
Spreads  everlasting  day. 

7  O  may  this  heav'nly  prospect  fire 

Our  hearts  with  ardent  love ; 
May  lively  faith  and  strong  desire 
Bear  ev'ry  thought  above. 

482  C.  M.  Watts. 

Ji  Prospect  of  Heaven. 

1  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight 

Where  saints  immortal  reign ; 
Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 
And  pleasures  banish  pain. 

2  There  everlasting  spring  abides, 

And  never-with'ring  fiow'rs  ; 
Death  like  a  narrow  sea  divides 
This  heav'nly  land  from  ours. 

3  Sweet  fields  beyond  the  swelling  flood 

Stand  dress'd  in  living  green ; 
So  to  the  Jews  old  Canaan  stood 
While  Jordan  roll'd  between. 

4  But  tim'rous  mortals  start  and  shrink 

To  cross  this  narrow  sea, 
And  linger  shiv'ring  on  the  brink, 
And  fear  to  launch  away  : 

5  O  could  we  make  our  doubts  remove. 

Those  gloomy  doubts  that  rise, 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  4S3 

And  view  the  Canaan  that  we  love 
With  unbeclouded  eyes ; 

6  Could  we  but  climb  where  Moses  stood, 
And  view  the  prospect  o'er, 
Not  Jordan's  streams  nor  death's  cold  flood 
Should  fright  us  from  the  shore. 

£gg  P.  M.  Rippon's  Col. 

Hie  same  subject. 

1  On  wings  of  faith  mount  up,  my  soul,  and 

rise, 
View  thine  inheritance  beyond  the  skies ; 
Nor  heart  can  think  nor  mortal  tongue  can 

tell 
What  endless  pleasures  in  those  mansions 
dwell : 
Here    our   Redeemer    lives    all   bright    and 

glorious, 
O'er    sin    and    death    and    hell    he    reigns 
victorious. 

2  No  gnawing  grief,  no  sad,  heart-rending  pain 
In  that  blest  country  can  admission  gain, 
No  sorrow  there,  no  soul-tormenting  fear, 
For  God's  own  hand  shall  wipe  the  falling 

tear. 

Here  our  Redeemer  lives,  &c.  , 

3  Before  the  throne  a  crystal  river  glides. 
Immortal  verdure  decks  its  cheerful  sides ; 

2  h*  389 


484  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

Here  the  fair  tree  of  life  majestic  rears 
Its   blooming    head   and    so v' reign   virtue 
bears. 


484  C  M.  Mrs.  Steele, 

Hope  of  Immortality. 

1  Those  happy  realms  of  joy  and  peace 

Fain  would  my  heart  explore, 
Where  grief  and  pain  for  ever  cease, 
And  I  shall  sin  no  more. 

2  No  darkness  there  shall  cloud  the  eyes, 

No  languor  seize  the  frame, 
But  ever  active  vigor  rise 
To  feed  the  vital  flame. 

3  But  ah,  a  dreary  vale  between 

Extends  its  awful  gloom ; 
Fear  spreads,  to  hide  the  distant  scene. 
The  horrors  of  the  tomb. 

4  O  for  the  eye  of  faith  divine 

To  pierce  beyond  the  grave, 
To  see  that  friend  and  call  him  mine 
Whose  arm  is  strong  to  save. 

5  Here  fix,  my  soul,  for  life  is  here ; 

Light  breaks  amid  the  gloom ; 
Trust  in  Jehovah's  love,  nor  fear 
The  horrors  of  the  tomb. 

390 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  485,  486 

4_§|J  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Longing  for  Immortality. 

1  Imperfect  creatures  of  a  day, 

With  sins  and  griefs  and  pains  oppress' d, 
We  sigh  the  ling'ring  hours  away, 
And  wish  and  long  to  be  released. 

2  Nor  is  it  liberty  alone 

That  prompts  our  restless,  ardent  sighs, 

For  immortality  we  groan, 

For  robes  and  mansions  in  the  skies : 

3  Eternal  mansions,  bright  array, 

O  bl^st  exchange,  transporting  thought, 
Free  from  th'  approaches  of  decay, 
Or  the  least  shadow  of  a  spot. 

4  There  shall  mortality  no  more 
Its  wide-extended  empire  boast, 
Forgotten  all  its  dreadful  pow'r,- 
In  life's  unbounded  ocean  lost. 

4_§g  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

God  the  Everlasting  Light  of  Good  Men. 

1  Ye  golden  lamps  of  heaven,  farewell, 

With  all  your  feeble  light ; 
Farewell,  thou  ever-changing  moon, 
Pale  empress  of  the  night : 

2  And  thou,  refulgent  orb  of  day, 

In  brighter  flames  array 'd, 
My  soul,  which  springs  beyond  thy  sphere, 
No  more  demands  thine  aid. 

391 


487  LIFE,  DEATH,  AND 

3  Ye  stars  are  but  the  shining  dust 

Of  my  divine  abode, 
The  pavement  of  those  heav'nly  courts 
Where  I  shall  reign  with  God. 

4  The  Father  of  eternal  light 

Shall  there  his  beams  display, 
Nor  shall  one  moment's  darkness  mix 
With  that  unvaried  day. 

5  No  more  the  drops  of  piercing  grief 

Shall  swell  into  mine  eyes, 
Nor  the  meridian  sun  decline 
Amidst  those  brighter  skies. 

6  There  all  the  millions  of  the  good 

Shall  in  one  song  unite, 
And  each  the  bliss  of  all  shall  share 
With  infinite  delight, 

487  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Communion  of  Saints. 

1  Not  to  the  terrors  of  the  Lord, 

The  tempest,  fire  and  smoke, 
Not  to  the  thunder  of  that  word 
Which  God  on  Sinai  spoke, 

2  But  we  are  come  to  Zion's  hill, 

The  city  of  our  God, 
Where  milder  words  declare  his  will 
And  spread  his  love  abroad. 

3  Behold  th'  innumerable  host 

Of  angels  cloth'd  in  light ; 

392 


A  FUTURE  STATE.  488 

Behold  the  spirits  of  the  just 
Whose  faith  is  turn'd  to  sight. 

4  Behold  the  bless' d  assembly  there 

Whose  names  are  writ  in  heav'n ; 
And  God,  the  Judge  of  all,  declares 
Their  num'rous  sins  forgiv'n. 

5  The  just  on  earth  and  all  the  dead 

But  one  communion  make ; 
All  join  in  Christ,  their  living  head, 
And  heav'nly  joys  partake. 

Zj.g§  L.  M.  Butcher. 

The  Final  Congregation  of  Good  Characters. 

1  From  north  and  south,  from  east  and  west, 
Advance  the  myriads  of  the  blest ; 

From  ev'ry  clime  of  earth  they  come, 
And  find  in  heav'n  a  common  home. 

2  In  one  immortal  throng  we  view 
Pagan  and  Christian,  Greek  and  Jew; 
But  all  their  doubts  and  darkness  o'er, 
One  only  God  they  now  adore. 

3  Howe'er  divided  here  below, 

One  bliss,  one  spirit  now  they  know ; 
Though  some  ne'er  heard  of  Jesus'  name, 
Yet  God  admits  their  honest  claim. 

4  On  earth  according  to  their  light 
They  aim'd  to  practise  what  was  right ; 
Hence  all  their  errors  are  forgiven, 
And  Jesus  welcomes  them  to  heav'n. 

393 


488  LIFE,  DEATH,  ETC. 

5  See  how  along  th'  immortal  meads 
His  glorious  host  the  Saviour  leads, 
And  brings  the  myriads  none  can  count 
To  seats  of  joy  on  Zion's  mount. 


PART   XV. 

PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 


z|_§{J  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

On  Opening  a  New  Place  of  Worship. 

1  And  will  the  Great  Eternal  God 
On  earth  establish  his  abode, 

And  will  he  from  his  radiant  throne 
Regard  our  temples  as  his  own  ? 

2  We  bring  the  tribute  of  our  praise, 
And  sing  that  condescending  grace 
Which  to  our  notes  will  lend  an  ear 
And  call  us  sinful  mortals  near. 

3  Our  Father's  watchful  care  we  bless, 
Which  guards  our  house  of  pray'r  in  peace, 
That  no  tumultuous  foes  invade 

To  fill  the  worshippers  with  dread. 

4  These  walls  we  to  thy  honor  raise  ; 
Long  may  they  echo  with  thy  praise, 
And  thou  descending  fill  the  place 
With  choicest  tokens  of  thy  grace. 

5  And  in  the  great  decisive  day 
When  God  the  nations  shall  survey, 
May  it  before  the  world  appear 
That  crowds  were  born  to  glory  here. 

395 


490  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

490  C.  M.  Original. 

The  same  subject, 

1  Greatest  of  beings,  Source  of  good, 

We  bow  before  thy  throne, 
Which  from  eternity  hath  stood, 
And  worship  Thee  alone. 

2  No  bounds  thy  high  perfections  know. 

But  fill  creation  wide ; 
And  wilt  thou  visit  men  below  ? 
Wilt  thou  on  earth  abide  ? 

3  Wilt  thou  vouchsafe  thy  presence  here. 

And  shed  propitious  rays, 
While  with  united  hands  we  rear 
An  altar  to  thy  praise  ? 

4  Here  then  in  ev'ry  heart  be  found 

The  dwelling  of  thy  choice, 
And  here  be  heard  that  sweetest  sound, 
The  cheerful,  thankful  voice. 

5  While  life  eternal  all  pursue, 

Here  may  the  way  be  shown, 
To  know  thyself,  God  only  true, 
And  Christ  thy  chosen  Son. 

6  Here  may  the  mind,  while  sunk  in  woes, 

And  comfort  long  delays, 
On  mercy's  gentle  breast  repose, 
And  change  its  sighs  for  praise. 

7  May  love  with  sweet  resistless  force 

Compel  her  guests  to  come, 

396 


BAPTISMAL  HYMN.  491 

Arrest  the  sinner's  downward  course, 
And  call  the  wand'rer  home. 

8  Here  be  the  solemn  witness  giv'n, 
Hence  be  it  spread  abroad ; 
"There's  none  like  thee  in  earth  or  heav'n, 
The  Lord  alone  is  God." 


4J.QJ  C.  M.  Salisbury  Col. 

A  Baptismal  Hymn. 

1  "I  come,"  the  great  Redeemer  cries, 

"To  do  thy  will,  O  Lord;" 
At  Jordan's  flood,  behold,  he  seals 
The  sure  prophetic  word. 

2  "Thus  it  becomes  us  to  fulfil 

All  righteousness,"  he  said; 

He  spake  obedient,  and  beneath 

The  yielding  wave  was  laid. 

3  Hark,  a  glad  voice,  the  Father  speaks 

From  heav'n's  exalted  height, 
"This  is  my  Son,  my  well-beloved, 
My  joy,  my  chief  delight." 

4  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  well  beloved, 

His  name  we  will  profess, 
Like  him  desirous  to  fulfil 
Each  law  of  righteousness. 

2  1  397 


492  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

5  No  more  we'll  count  ourselves  our  own. 
But  his  in  bonds  of  love ; 
O  may  such  bonds  for  ever  draw 
Our  souls  to  things  above. 


For  the  Lord's  Supper. 

492  L.  M.  Watts. 

Institution  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

1  'Twas  on  that  dreadful,  doleful  night, 
When  the  whole  pow'r  of  darkness  rose 
Against  the  Son  of  God's  delight, 
And  friends  betray'd  him  to  his  foes, 

2  Before  the  mournful  scene  began, 

He  took  the  bread,  and  bless'd,  and  brake ; 
What  love  through  all  his  actions  ran ! 
What  wondrous  words  of  grace  he  spake  ! 

3  "This  is  my  body,  broke  for  sin; 
Receive,  and  eat  the  living  food : 

Then  took  the  cup,  and  bless'd  the  wine, 
"'Tis  the  new  cov'nant  in  my  blood." 

4  "Meet  at  my  table;  and  record 
The  love  of  your  departed  Lord ; 

Do  this,"  he  cried,  "till  time  shall  end, 
In  mem'ry  of  your  dying  friend." 

398 


the  lord's  supper.         493,  494 

493  L.  M.  Enfield's  Col. 

Celebration  of  the  LoroVs  Supper. 

1  This  feast  was  Jesus'  high  behest, 
This  cup  of  thanks  his  last  request ; 
Ye  who  can  feel  his  worth,  attend, 
Eat,  drink,  in  mem'ry  of  your  friend. 

2  Around  the  patriot's  bust  ye  throng, 
Him  ye  exalt  in  swelling  song, 
For  him  the  wreath  of  glory  bind 
Who  freed  from  vassalage  his  kind. 

3  And  shall  not  he  your  praises  reap 
Who  rescues  from  the  iron  sleep, 
The  great  deliverer  whose  breath 
Unbinds  the  captives  ev'n  of  death  ? 

4  Shall  he  who  fellow-men  to  save 
Became  a  tenant  of  the  grave, 
Unthank'd,  uncelebrated  rise, 
Pass  unremember'd  to  the  skies  ? 

5  Christians,  unite  with  loud  acclaim 
To  hymn  the  Saviour's  welcome  name, 
On  earth  extol  his  wondrous  love, 
Repeat  his  praise  in  worlds  above. 

zj.9^1  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Invitation  to  the  LoroVs  Supper. 

1  My  God,  and  is  this  table  spread, 
And  does  this  cup  with  love  o'erflow  ? 

399 


495  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Thither  be  all  thy  children  led, 
And  let  them  all  its  sweetness  know. 

2  O  let  this  table  honor'd  be, 

And  furnish' d  well  with  joyful  guests, 
And  may  each  soul  salvation  see 
That  here  its  sacred  pledges  tastes. 

3  Let  crowds  approach  with  hearts  prepared, 
With  warm  desire  let  all  attend, 

Nor  when  we  leave  our  Master's  board 
The  pleasure  or  the  profit  end. 

4  Revive  thy  dying  churches,  Lord, 
And  bid  our  drooping  graces  live, 
And  more  that  energy  afford 

A  Saviour's  death  alone  can  give. 

495  S.  M.  Watts. 

The  Communion. 

1  Jesus  invites  his  friends 
To  meet  around  his  board, 

Here  may  his  people  sit  and  hold 
Communion  with  their  Lord. 

2  Here  we  show  forth  his  love, 
Which  spake  in  ev'ry  breath, 

Prompted  each  action  of  his  life 
And  triumph'd  in  his  death. 

3  Our  heav'nly  Father  calls 
Christ  and  his  members  one; 

We  are  the  children  of  his  love, 
And  he  the  first-born  Son. 

400 


the  lord's  supper.  496 

One  faith,  one  hope,  one  Lord, 
One  God  alone  we  know ; 
Brethren  we  are,  let  ev'ry  heart 
With  kind  affections  glow. 

Let  all  our  pow'rs  be  join'd 
Our  Father's  name  to  raise, 
Let  gratitude  fill  ev'ry  mind 
And  ev'ry  voice  be  praise. 

49g  L.  M.  Watts. 

For  the  Lord's  Supper. 

How  rich  are  thy  provisions,  Lord, 
Thy  table  furnish' d  from  above  ! 
The  fruits  of  life  o'erspread  the  board, 
The  cup  o'erflows  with  heav'nly  love. 

Thine  ancient  family,  the  Jews, 
Were  first  invited  to  the  feast ; 
We  humbly  take  what  they  refuse, 
And  Gentiles  thy  salvation  taste. 

Let  the  vain  world  pronounce  it  shame, 
And  fling  their  scandals  on  thy  cause, 
We  come  to  boast  our  Saviour's  name, 
And  make  our  triumphs  in  his  cross. 

With  joy  we  tell  the  scoffing  age, 
He  that  was  dead  has  left  his  tomb, 
He  lives  above  their  utmost  rage, 
And  we  are  waiting  till  he  come. 

While  he  is  absent  from  our  sight, 
'Tis  to  prepare  for  us  a  place, 

2 1*  401 


497  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

That  we  may  dwell  in  heav'nly  light, 
And  live  for  ever  near  his  face. 


£Qf  C.  M.  Birmingham  Col. 

Brotherly  Kindness  in  Imitation  of  Christ. 

1  Ye  foll'wers  of  the  Prince  of  Peace, 

Who  round  his  table  draw. 
Remember  what  his  spirit  was, 
What  his  peculiar  law. 

2  The  love  which  all  his  bosom  fill'd 

Did  all  his  actions  guide ; 
Inspired  by  love,  he  lived  and  taught, 
Inspired  by  love,  he  died. 

3  And  do  you  love  him,  do  you  feel 

Your  warm  affections  move  ? 
This  is  the  proof  which  he  demands, 
That  you  each  other  love. 

4  Let  each  the  sacred  law  fulfil, 

Like  his  be  ev'ry  mind, 
Be  ev'ry  temper  form'd  by  love, 
And  ev'ry  action  kind. 

5  Let  none  who  call  themselves  his  friends, 

Disgrace  the  honor'd  name, 

But  by  a  near  resemblance  prove 

The  title  which  they  claim. 

402 


the  lord's  supper.         498,  499 


4L9S  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

The  Christian1 $  Secret  Feast. 

1  We  praise  the  Lord  for  heav'nly  bread, 
With,  which  his  favor'd  sons  are  fed ; 
We  praise  thee  for  that  heav'nly  feast, 
Which  Jesus  with  delight  could  taste. 

2  He  while  he  sojoiirn'd  here  below 

Had  meat  which  strangers  could  not  know; 
That  meat  he  to  his  people  gives, 
And  he  that  tastes  the  banquet  lives. 

3  So  let  ns  live  sustain'd  by  grace, 
Regaled  with  fruits  of  righteousness ; 
Enter  our  hearts,  all-gracious  Lord, 
And  sup  with  us,  and  deck  the  board. 

4  Devotion,  faith  and  zealous  love, 
And  hope  that  bears  the  soul  above, 
Be  these  our  dainties,  till  we  rise 
And  taste  the  joys  of  paradise. 

Z|99  C.  M.  Watts. 

Conclusion  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

1  Pity  the  nations,  O  our  God, 

Constrain  the  earth  to  come ; 
Send  thy  victorious  word  abroad 
And  bring  the  strangers  home. 

2  We  long  to  see  thy  churches  full, 

That  all  thy  chosen  race 
May  with  one  voice  and  heart  and  soul 
Sing  thy  redeeming  grace. 

403 


500,  501         PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 


For  Charitable  Occasions. 

500  L-  M-  Watts. 

Compassion  to  the  Afflicted. 

1  Blest  is  the  man  whose  heart  is  kind 
And  melts  with  pity  to  the  poor, 
Who  with  a  sympathizing  mind 
Feels  what  his  fellow-men  endure. 

2  His  heart  contrives  for  their  relief 
More  good  than  his  own  hand  can  do ; 
He  in  the  time  of  gen'ral  grief 

Shall  find  the  Lord  hath  pity  too. 

3  This  man  shall  live  secure  on  earth, 
With  secret  blessings  on  his  head, 
Though  sword  or  pestilence  or  dearth 
Around  him  multiply  their  dead. 

4  Or  if  with  mortal  sufFrin£S  tried, 
Suff'rings  shall  all  his  soul  refine, 
Sweet  hope  his  refuge  shall  provide 
And  minister  a  bliss  divine. 


501  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Blessings  of  the  Pious  and  Charitable. 

Thrice  happy  man  who  fears  the  Lord, 
Loves  his  commands  and  trusts  his  word ; 
Honor  and  peace  his  days  attend, 
And  blessings  to  his  seed  descend. 

404 


CHARITABLE  OCCASIONS.  502 

2  Compassion  dwells  "upon  his  mind. 
To  works  of  mercy  still  inclined ; 
He  lends  the  poor  some  present  aid, 
Or  gives  them,  not  to  be  repaid. 

3  When  times  grow  dark  and  tidings  spread 
That  fill  his  neighbors  round  with  dread, 
His  heart  is  arm'd  against  the  fear, 

For  God  with  all  his  pow'r  is  there. 

4  His  soul,  well  fix'd  upon  the  Lord, 
Draws  heav'nly  courage  from  his  word ; 
Amidst  the  darkness  light  shall  rise 

To  cheer  his  heart  and  bless  his  eyes. 

5  He  hath  dispersed  his  alms  abroad ; 
His  works  are  still  before  his  God ; 
His  name  on  earth  shall  long  remain, 
Nor  shall  his  future  hopes  be  vain. 

§©2S  P-  M.  Watts. 

The  same  subject. 

1  That  man  is  blest  who  stands  in  awe 
Of  God,  and  loves  his  sacred  law ; 

His  seed  on  earth  shall  be  renown'd; 
His  house  the  seat  of  wealth  shall  be, 
An  inexhausted  treasury, 

And  with  successive  honors  crown' d. 

2  His  lib'ral  favors  he  extends. 

To  some  he  gives,  to  others  lends ; 
A  gen'rous  pity  fills  his  mind ; 

405 


503  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Yet  what  his  charity  impairs 
He  saves  by  prudence  in  affairs, 
And  thus  he's  just  to  all  mankind. 

3  His  hands,  while  they  his  alms  bestow'd, 
His  glory's  future  harvest  sow'd ; 

The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
Like  a  green  root  revives  and  bears 
A  train  of  blessings  for  his  heirs 

When  dying  nature  sleeps  in  dust, 

4  Beset  with  fhreat'ning  dangers  round, 
Unmoved  shall  he  maintain  his  ground ; 

His  conscience  bears  his  courage  up ; 
The  soul  that's  fill'd  with  virtue's  light 
Shines  brightest  in  affliction's  night, 

And  sees  in  darkness  beams  of  hope. 

5©<[8  ^*  M*         Kidderminster  Col. 

The  Love  of  Jesus. 

1  See  the  kind  shepherd,  Jesus,  stands 

And  calls  his  sheep  by  name, 
Gathers  the  feeble  in  his  arms, 
And  feeds  the  tender  lamb. 

2  He'll  lead  us  to  the  heav'nly  streams 

Where  living  waters  flow, 
And  guide  us  to  the  fruitful  fields 
Where  trees  of  knowledge  grow. 

3  When  wand'ring  from  the  fold  we  leave 

The  straight  and  narrow  way, 
Our  faithful  shepherd  still  is  near 
To  guide  us  when  we  stray. 

406 


CHARITABLE  OCCASIONS.  504 

The  feeblest  lamb  amidst  the  flock 

Shall  be  its  shepherd's  care ; 
While  folded  in  our  Saviour's  arms 

We're  safe  from  ev'ry  snare. 


fJO'i  -P*  M»  Broadmead  Col. 

Another. 

Glory  to  our  heav'nly  King  ! 

Bounteous  Parent,  thee  we  sing ; 

Gratitude  the  strain  inspires, 

Humble  hopes,  sincere  desires. 

Thee  we  sing,  with  loud  acclaim 
Praising  thy  all-glorious  name. 

God  of  glory,  God  of  love, 
Lord  of  all  the  worlds  above, 
Thee  we  bless  for  daily  food, 
Thee  we  bless  for  ev'ry  good. 
Thee  we  sing,  &c. 

More  than  all,  we  praise  thee,  Lord, 
For  the  blessings  of  thy  word, 
For  the  tidings  Jesus  brought, 
For  the  precepts  Jesus  taught. 
Thee  we  sing,  &c. 

Gracious  Father,  heav'nly  King, 
Feeble  lips  presume  to  sing ; 
Infant  voices  humbly  raise 
Grateful,  fervent  songs  of  praise. 
Thee  we  sing,  &c. 

407 

- 


505  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

For  the  New  Year. 

505  P*  M*  Doddridge. 

.For  Aeio  Fear's  Z/ojy. 

1  House  of  our  God,  with  cheerful  anthems 

ring, 
While  all  our  lips  and  hearts  his  graces 

sing; 
The  op'ning  year  his  bounties  shall  pro- 
claim, 
And  all  its  days  be  vocal  with  his  name. 
The  Lord  is  good,  his  mercy  never-ending, 
His  blessings  in  perpetual  show'rs  descending. 

2  Thou  earth,  enlighten'd  by  his  rays  divine, 
Pregnant  with  grass  and  corn  and  oil  and 

wine, 
Crown' d  with  his  goodness,  let  thy  nations 

meet 
And  lay  their  crowns  at  his  paternal  feet ; 
With  grateful  love  that  lib'ral  hand  confessing 
Which  thro'  each  heart  diffuseth  ev'ry  blessing. 

3  His  mercy  never  ends;  the  dawn,  the  shade, 
Still  see  new  beauties  through  new  scenes 

display 'd ; 
Succeeding  ages  bless  this  sure  abode, 
And  children  lean  upon  their  fathers'  God. 

408 


THE  NEW  YEAR.  506 

The  soul  of  man  through  its  immense  duration 
Drinks  from  this  source  immortal  consolation. 

4  Burst  into  praise,  my  soul !   All  Nature,  join, 
Angels  and  men,  in  harmony  combine, 
While  human  years  are  measur'd  by  the  sun, 
And  while  eternity  its  course  shall  run, 
His  goodness  in  perpetual  show'rs  descending, 
Exalt  in  songs  and  raptures  never-ending. 

506  L-  M*  Doddridge. 

The  Possibility  of  Dying  this  Year. 

1  God  of  our  lives,  thy  constant  care 
With  blessings  crowns  each  op'ning  year ; 
These  lives  so  frail  dost  thou  prolong, 
And  wake  anew  our  annual  song. 

2  How  many  precious  souls  are  fled 
To  the  dark  regions  of  the  dead 
Since  from  this  day  the  changing  sun 
Through  his  last  yearly  course  has  run ! 

3  We  yet  survive,  but  who  can  say 

Or  through  the  year  or  month  or  day 

I  shall  retain  my  vital  breath, 

Thus  far  at  least  in  league  with  death  ? 

4  That  breath  is  thine,  Eternal  God, 
.  Thine  to  determine  our  abode ; 

We  hold  our  lives  from  thee  alone, 
On  earth  or  in  the  world  unknown. 

5  To  thee  we  all  our  pow'rs  resign ; 
Make  us  and  own  us  still  as  thine ; 

2  K  409 


507  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Then  shall  we  smile,  secure  from  fear, 
Though  death  should  blast  the  rising  year. 

6  Thy  children,  eager  to  be  gone, 
Bid  time's  impetuous  tide  roll  on, 
And  land  them  on  that  blooming-  shore 
Where  years  and  death  are  known  no  more. 

50T  L-  M-  JoHN  Taylor. 

Sun,  stand  thou  still .' 

1  When  Isr'el's  tribes  on  Gibeon  pour'd, 
The  son  of  Nun  unsheath'd  his  sword, 
He  bade  the  sun  retard  his  way 

And  lengthen  the  victorious  day. 

2  But  when  tumultuous  passions  rise, 
And  fame  or  pleasure  lures  our  eyes, 
Or  bent  on  virtue's  path  sublime, 

We  chide  the  swift-wing'd  foot  of  time  : 

3  In  vain  we  war  with  nature's  force, 
Time's  rapid  car  pursues  its  course ; 
Nor  virtue's  nor  ambition's  pow'r 
Can  stop  the  swiftly-moving  hour. 

4  The  gay  and  great,  the  good  and  just 
Alike  are  journeying  to  the  dust ; 
Then  haste,  the  race  of  virtue  run, 
Nor  blame  the  quick  revolving  sun. 

5  Bright  orb,  roll  on  o'er  heav'n's  wide  face  ; 
Why  should  our  wishes  check  thy  pace  ? 
Why  should  we  grudge  the  passing  hour. 
Which  bears  us  to  the  friendly  shore  ? 

410 


THE  NEW  YEAR.  508 


Days,  months  and  years,  your  rounds  fulfil . 
Witness  our  virtuous  efforts  still ; 
Nor  let  one  vagrant  day  pass  by 
Unbless'd  by  reason's  victory. 


£JO§  L-  M*  JoHN  Taylor. 

The  Shortness  of  Life. 

1  Like  shadows  gliding  o'er  the  plain. 
Or  clouds  that  roll  successive  on, 
Man's  busy  generations  pass, 

And  while  we  gaze  their  forms  are  gone. 

2  Vain  was  the  boast  of  lengthen'd  years, 
The  patriarch's  full  maturity ; 

'Twas  but  a  larger  drop  to  swell 
The  ocean  of  eternity. 

3  "He  lived,  he  died;"  behold  the  sum, 
The  abstract  of  th'  historian's  page; 
Alike  in  God's  all-seeing  eye, 

The  infant's  day,  the  patriarch's  age. 

4  O  Father,  in  whose  mighty  hand 
The  boundless  years  and  ages  lie, 
Teach  us  thy  boon  of  life  to  prize, 
And  use  the  moments  as  they  fly ; 

5  To  crowd  the  narrow  span  of  life 
With  wise  designs  and  virtuous  deeds : 
So  shall  we  wake  from  death's  dark  night 
To  share  the  glory  that  succeeds. 

411 


509,  510  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

509  -k-  M.  Doddridge. 

God  our  Helper. 

1  My  Helper  God,  I  bless  his  name ; 
The  same  his  pow'r,  his  grace  the  same  ; 
The  tokens  of  his  friendly  care 

Open  and  crown  and  close  the  year. 

2  I  'midst  ten  thousand  dangers  stand 
Supported  by  his  guardian  hand, 
And  see  when  I  survey  my  ways 
Ten  thousand  monuments  of  praise. 

3  Thus  far  his  arm  hath  led  me  on, 
Thus  far  I  make  his  mercy  known ; 
And  while  I  tread  this  desert  land 
New  blessings  shall  new  songs  demand. 

4  My  grateful  soul  on  Jordan's  shore 
Shall  raise  one  sacred  pillar  more, 
And  bear  in  his  bright  courts  above 
Inscriptions  of  immortal  love. 


510  k-  M-*  Doddridge. 

Help  obtained  of  God. 

1  Great  God,  we  sing  that  mighty  hand 
By  which  supported,  still  we  stand  : 
The  op'ning  year  thy  mercy  shows. 
That  mercy  crowns  it  till  it  close. 

2  By  day,  by  night,  at  home,  abroad, 
Still  we  are  guarded  by  our  God, 

412 


THE  NEW  YEAR.  511 

By  his  incessant  bounty  fed. 
By  his  unerring  counsel  led. 

3  With  grateful  hearts  the  past  we  own ; 
The  future,  all  to  us  unknown, 

We  to  thy  guardian  care  commit, 
And  peaceful  leave  before  thy  feet. 

4  In  scenes  exalted  or  depress'd 
Thou  art  our  joy  and  thou  our  rest ; 
Thy  goodness  all  our  hopes  shall  raise, 
Adored  through  all  our  changing  days. 

5  Though  death  shall  interrupt  these  songs 
And  seal  in  silence  mortal  tongues, 

Our  helper  God,  in  whom  we  trust, 
We'll  through  eternal  ages  boast. 


5U  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Reflections  on  our  Waste  of  Years. 

1  Remark,  my  soul,  the  narrow  bounds 

Of  the  revolving  year ; 
How  swift  the  weeks  complete  their  rounds, 
How  short  the .  months  appear ! 

2  So  fast  eternity  comes  on, 

And  that  important  day 
When  all  that  mortal  life  has  done 
God's  judgment  shall  survey. 

3  Yet  like  an.  idle  tale  we  pass 

The  swift  advancing  year, 

2  k*  413  J<3 


512  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

And  study  artful  ways  t'  increase 
The  speed  of  its  career. 

4  Waken,  O  God,  my  trifling  heart 

Its  great  concern  to  see ; 
That  I  may  act  the  christian  part, 
And  give  the  year  to  thee. 

5  Thus  shall  their  course  more  grateful  prove 

If  future  years  arise, 
And  bear  me  swift  as  time  can  move 
To  joy  that  never  dies. 


Funeral  Occasions. 

512  CM.  Watts. 

A  Funeral  Thought. 

Hark,  from  the  tombs  an  awful  sound ; 

My  ears  attend  the  cry ; 
"  Ye  living  men,  come  view  the  ground 


^  ~  „ .  *„.D  -_^,  — „„  — ..   — 
Where  you  must  shortly  lie. 


& 


u  Princes,  this  clay  must  be  your  bed. 
In  spite  of  all  your  towers ; 

The  tall,  the  wise,  the  rev'rend  head 
Must  lie  as  low  as  ours." 

Great  God,  is  this  our  certain  doom, 

And  are  we  still  secure  ? 
Still  walking  downward  to  the  tomb, 

And  yet  prepare  no  more  ? 

414 


FUNERAL  HYMNS.  513 

Grant  us  the  pow'r  of  quick'ning  grace, 
To  raise  our  thoughts  on  high, 

That  we  may  end  this  mortal  race? 
And  see  salvation  nigh. 


513  C.  M.  Watts. 

Meditation  on  Death. 

1  My  thoughts,  that  oft  ascend  the  skies, 

Come,  search  the  dust  beneath, 
Where  nature  all  in  ruin  lies 
And  owns  the  pow'r  of  death. 

2  See  how  the  tyrant  triumphs  here, 

His  trophies  scatter'd  round  ; 
What  heaps  of  mould'ring  bones  appear 
Through  all  the  hollow  ground ! 

3  Soon  must  we  leave  the  banks  of  life, 

And  try  death's  doubtful  sea ; 
Vain  are  our  groans,  and  vain  the  strife 
To  gain  a  moment's  stay. 

4  Soon  shall  some  friend  let  fall  the  tear 

O'er  our  cold  limbs,  and  say, 
"  Once  they  were  strong  as  mine  appear, 
And  mine  must  be  as  they." 

5  Thus  shall  our  lifeless  members  teach 

What  now  our  senses  learn, 
For  dust  and  ashes  loudly  preach 
Man's  first  and  great  concern. 

415 


514,  515         PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

514  C.  M.  Watts. 

Death  of  Kindred  Improved. 

1  Must  friends  and  kindred  droop  and  die, 

And  helpers  be  withdrawn, 
While  sorrow  with  a  weeping  eye 
Counts  up  our  comforts  gone  ? 

2  Be  thou  our  comfort,  mighty  God, 

Our  helper  and  our  friend ; 
Nor  leave  us  in  this  dang'rous  road, 
Till  all  our  trials  end. 

3  O  may  our  feet  pursue  the  way 

Our  pious  fathers  led ; 
While  love  and  holy  zeal  obey 
The  counsels  of  the  dead. 

4  Let  us  be  wrean'd  from  earthly  joys, 

Let  hope  our  grief  dispel ; 
The  dead  in  Jesus  shall  arise 
In  endless  bliss  to  dwell. 

U1U  L.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

On  the  Death  of  a  Parent. 

1  Though  nature's  voice  you  must  obey, 
Think,  while  your  swelling  griefs  o'erflow. 
That  hand  which  takes  your  joys  away, 
That  sov'reign  hand  can  heal  your  woe. 

2  And  while  your  mournful  thoughts  deplore 
The  parent  gone,  removed  the  friend, 
With  heart  resign'd,  His  grace  adore 

On  whom  your  nobler  hopes  depend. 

41G 


FUNERAL  HYMNS.  516 

3  Does  he  not  bid  his  children  come 
Through  death's  dark  shades  to  realms  of 

light? 
Yet  when  he  calls  them  to  their  home. 
Shall  fond  survivors  mourn  their  flight  ? 

4  His  word — here  let  your  soul  rely — 
Immortal  consolation  gives ; 

Your  heav'nly  Father  cannot  die, 
Th'  eternal  Friend  for  ever  lives. 

5  O  be  that  best  of  friends  your  trust, 
On  his  almighty  arm  recline ; 

He,  when  your  comforts  sink  in  dust, 
Can  give  you  blessings  more  divine. 

5Jg  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

On  the  Death  of  a  Young  Person. 

1  When  blooming  youth  is  snatch'd  away 

By  death's  resistless  hand, 
Our  hearts  the  mournful  tribute  pay 
Which  pity  must  demand. 

2  While  pity  prompts  the  rising  sigh, 

O  may  this  truth,  imprest 
With  awful  pow'r — I  too  must  die — 
Sink  deep  in  ev'ry  breast, 

3  Let  this  vain  world  delude  no  more  ; 

Behold  the  gaping  tomb ; 
It  bids  us  seize  the  present  hour. 
To-morrow  death  may  come. 

417 


517  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

4  The  voice  of  this  alarming  scene 
May  ev'ry  heart  obey ; 
Nor  be  the  heav'nly  warning  vain 
Which  bids  us  watch  and  pray. 

51^  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

On  the  Death  of  a  Child. 

1  Life  is  a  span,  a  fleeting  hour; 

How  soon  the  vapour  flies ! 

Man  is  a  tender  transient  flow'r, 

That  ev'n  in  blooming  dies. 

2  Death  spreads  like  winter's  frozen  arms, 

And  beauty  smiles  no  more ; 
Ah  where  are  now  those  rising  charms 
Which  pleased  our  eyes  before  ? 

3  The  once  loved  form  now  cold  and  dead, 

Each  mournful  thought  employs, 
And  nature  weeps  her  comforts  fled, 
And  wither  a  all  her  joys. 

4  But  wait  the  interposing  gloom, 

And  lo,  stern  winter  flies ; 
And  drest  in  beaut v's  fairest  bloom 
The  flow'ry  tribes  arise. 

5  Hope  looks  beyond  the  bounds  of  time, 

When  what  we  now  deplore 

Shall  rise  in  full  immortal  prime, 

And  bloom  to  fade  no  more. 

G  Then  cease,  fond  nature,  cease  thy  tears ; 
Religion  points  on  high ; 

418 


FUNERAL  HYMNS. 


518 


There  everlasting  spring  appears, 
And  joys  that  cannot  die. 


f|lg  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Comfort  for  Parents  on  the  Loss  of  Children. 

1  Ye  mourning  souls,  whose  streaming  tears 

Flow  o'er  your  children  dead, 
Say  not  in  transports  of  despair 
That  all  your  hopes  are  fled. 

2  While  cleaving  to  that  darling  dust 

In  fond  distress  ye  lie, 
Rise,  and  with  joy  and  rev'rence  view 
A  heav'nly  Parent  nigh. 

3  Though,  your  young  branches  torn  away, 

Like  wither' d  trunks  ye  stand, 
With  fairer  verdure  shall  ye  bloom, 
Touch'd  by  the  Almighty's  hand. 

4  "  I'll  give  the  mourner,"  saith  the  Lord, 

"  In  my  own  house  a  place ; 
No  names  of  daughters  and  of  sons 
Could  yield  so  high  a  grace. 

5  "  Transient  and  vain  is  ev'ry  hope 

A  rising  race  can  give ; 
In  endless  honor  and  delight 
My  children  all  shall  live." 

6  We  welcome,  Lord,  those  rising  tears, 

Through  which  thy  face  we  see, 
And  bless  those  wounds  which  through  our 
hearts 
Prepare  a  way  for  thee. 

419 


519,  520  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 


5 If)  C.  M.  Mrs.  Steele. 

Hope  in  the  Death  of  Friends. 

1  While  to  the  grave  our  friends  our  borne. 

Around  their  cold  remains 
How  all  the  tender  passions  mourn, 
And  each  fond  heart  complains ! 

2  But  down  to  earth,  alas,  in  vain 

We  bend  our  weeping  eyes ; 
Ah  let  us  leave  these  seats  of  pain, 
And  upwards  learn  to  rise. 

3  Hope  cheerful  smiles  amid  the  gloom, 

And  beams  a  healing  ray, 
And  guides  us  from  the  darksome  tomb 
To  realms  of  endless  day. 

4  To  those  bright  courts  when  hope  ascends, 

She  calms  the  swelling  woe ; 
In  hope  we  meet  our  happy  friends, 
And  tears  forget  to  flow. 

5  Then  let  our  hearts  repine  no  more 

That  earthly  comfort  dies ; 

But  lasting  happiness  explore, 

And  ask  it  from  the  skies. 

£)20  L*  ^*  Salisbury  Col. 

A  Funeral  Hymn. 

1  The  God  of  love  will  sure  indulge 
The  flowing  tear,  the  heaving  sigh, 
When  righteous  persons  fall  around, 
When  tender  friends  and  kindred  die. 

420 


FUNERAL  HYMNS.  521 

2  Yet  not  one  anxious  murm'ring  thought 
Should  with  our  mourning  passions  blend, 
Nor  should  our  bleeding  hearts  forget 
Th'  almighty  ever-living  Friend. 

3  Parent,  Protector,  Guardian,  Guide, 
Thou  art  each  tender  name  in  one ; 
On  thee  we  cast  our  ev'ry  care, 
And  comfort  seek  from  thee  alone. 

4  Our  Father  God,  to  thee  we  look, 

Our  Rock,  our  Portion,  and  our  Friend, 
And  on  thy  gracious  love  and  truth 
Our  sinking  souls  shall  still  depend. 

521  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Funeral  of  a  Christian. 

1  Why  do  we  mourn  departing  friends, 

Or  shake  at  death's  alarms  ? 
'Tis  but  the  voice  that  Jesus  sends 
To  call  them  to  his  arms. 

2  The  graves  of  all  his  friends  he  bless'd, 

And  soften'd  ev'ry  bed ; 
Where  should  the  dying  members  rest 
But  with  their  dying  head? 

3  Thence  he  arose,  ascending  high, 

And  show'd  our  feet  the  way ; 
Up  to  the  Lord  our  flesh  shall  fly 
At  the  great  rising  day. 

4  Then  let  the  last  loud  trumpet  sound 

And  bid  our  kindred  rise ; 

2L  421 


522  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Awake,  ye  nations  under  ground. 
Ye  saints,  ascend  the  skies. 


522  L-  M-  Mrs-  Steele. 

Christian  Patience,  Consolation  and  Hope. 

1  Is  there  no  kind,  no  lenient  art 
To  heal  the  anguish  of  the  heart, 
To  ease  the  heavy  load  of  care 
Which  nature  must,  but  cannot  bear  ? 

2  Can  reason's  dictates  be  obey'd  ? 
Too  weak,  alas,  her  strongest  aid ; 
O  let  religion  then  be  nigh, 

Her  comforts  were  not  made  to  die. 

3  Her  pow'rful  aid  supports  the  soul, 
And  nature  owns  her  kind  control ; 
While  she  unfolds  the  sacred  page 
Our  fiercest  griefs  resign  their  rage. 

4  Then  gentle  patience  smiles  on  pain, 
And  dying  hope  revives  again ; 
Hope  wipes  the  tear  from  sorrow's  eye, 
And  faith  points  upward  to  the  sky : 

5  The  promise  guides  her  ardent  flight, 
And  joys  unknown  to  sense  invite 
Those  blissful  regions  to  explore 
Where  pleasures  bloom  to  fade  no  more. 

422 


FUNERAL  HYMNS.  523 

|J23  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

For  a  Congregation  on  the  Death  of  its  Minister. 

1  Let  our  dejected  hearts  revive, 

And  all  our  tears  be  dry : 
Why  should  those  eyes  be  drown'd  in  tears 
Which  view  a  Father  nigh? 

2  Though  earthly  shepherds  dwell  in  dust. 

The  aged  and  the  young, 
The  watchful  eye  in  darkness  closed. 
And  mute  th'  instructive  tongue : 

3  Th'  Eternal  Shepherd  still  survives, 

New  comfort  to  impart ; 
His  eye  still  guides  us  and  his  voice 
Still  animates  our  heart. 

4  To  him  when  mortal  comforts  fail 

His  suppliant  people  fly, 

And  on  his  never-failing  care 

With  cheerful  hope  rely. 

5  The  pow'rs  of  nature,  Lord,  are  thine, 

And  thine  the  aids  of  grace ; 
Thine  arm  has  borne  thy  churches  up 
Through  ev'ry  rising  race. 

6  Exert  thy  sacred  influence  here, 

Thy  mourning  servants  bless ; 
O  change  to  strains  of  cheerful  praise 
Their  accents  of  distress. 

423 


524,  525        PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

524:  ^*  M.  Doddridge. 

On  occasion  of  a  Conflagration. 

1  Eternal  God,  our  humbled  souls 

Before  thy  presence  bow ; 
With  all  thy  magazines  of  wrath, 
How  terrible  art  thou  ! 

2  Fann'd  by  thy  breath,  whole  sheets  of  flame 

Like  a  wild- deluge  pour, 
And  all  our  confidence  of  wealth 
Lies  moulder 'd  in  an  hour. 

3  Led  on  by  thee  in  horrid  pomp, 

Destruction  rears  its  head, 
And  blacken'd  Avails  and  smoking  heaps 
Through  all  the  streets  are  spread. 

4  Lord,  in  the  dust  we  lay  us  down, 

And  mourn  thy  righteous  ire ; 

Yet  bless  the  hand  of  guardian  love 

That  snatch' d  us  from  the  fire. 

5  O  may  we  view  with  dauntless  eyes 

The  last  tremendous  day 
When  earth  and  seas  and  stars  and  skies 
In  flames  shall  melt  away. 

525  C.  M.  Mrs.  Carter. 

In  a  Thunder- Storm. 

1  Let  coward  guilt  with  pallid  fear 
To  shelt'ring  caverns  fly, 
And  justly  dread  the  vengeful  fate 
That  thunders  through  the  sky. 

424 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  526 

2  Protected  by  that  hand  whose  law 

The  threat' ning  storms  obey, 
Intrepid  virtne  smiles  secure 
As  in  the  blaze  of  day. 

3  In  the  thick  cloud's  tremendous  gloom, 

The  lightning's  lurid  glare, 
It  views  the  same  all-gracious  Pow'r 
That  breathes  the  vernal  air. 

4  Through  nature's  ever-varying  scene, 

By  diff'rent  ways  pursued, 
The  one  eternal  end  of  Heav'n 
Is  universal  good. 


National  Hymns, 

526  p-  M-  Merrick. 

Prayer  for  National  Blessings. 

1  May  God  his  fav'ring  ear  incline, 
And  bid  his  face  on  Isr'el  shine, 

That  all  thy  counsels,  Lord,  may  know, 
Where  earth  extends  or  oceans  flow, 
And  thankful  to  their  wond'ring  eyes 
Behold  thy  wish'd  salvation  rise. 
To  thee,  of  life  th'  eternal  Spring, 
Invisible,  all-potent  King, 
One  chorus  let  the  nations  raise, 
One  shout  of  universal  praise. 

2  Ye  distant  realms,  your  voice  employ 
In  songs  of  gratitude  and  joy ; 

2  l*  425 


527  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Exult,  each  tribe,  exult,  each  land, 
Heav'n's  mighty  Lord  with  equal  hand 
The  balance  holds,  and  earth's  domain 
Shall  own  to  latest  time  his  reism. 
To  thee,  of  life,  &c. 

3  So,  warm'd  by  genial  suns,  the  field 
With  full  increase  its  fruits  shall  )n.eld, 
And  God,  thy  God,  O  Isr'el,  shed 
His  choicest  blessings  on  thy  head ; 
God  shall  on  us  his  blessings  show'r, 
And  man's  whole  race  revere  his  pow'r. 
To  thee,  of  life,  &c. 


52T  k.  M.  Butcher. 

Divine  Judgments  Deprecated. 

1  Who  shall  not  tremble,  mighty  God, 
Before  thine  all-controlling  rod, 
And  own  the  potence  of  that  sway 
Which  speaks  and  sweeps  whole  worlds 

away? 

2  When  daring  sins  provoke  thine  ire, 
Where  shall  the  guilty  tribes  retire  ? 

In  vain  through  heav'n  and  earth  they  flee, 
For  heav'n  and  earth  are  full  of  thee. 

3  Lord,  when  to  scourge  a  guilty  race 
Thine  awful  wrath  restrains  thy  grace, 
Let  mercy  like  an  ark  defend 

The  souls  that  to  thy  voice  attend. 

426 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  528,  529 

52§  L.  M.  Watts. 

Safety  in  God. 

1  Ye  righteous,  in  your  King  rejoice, 
Though  tyrants  rage,  and  kingdoms  rise ; 
He  utters  his  almighty  voice, 

The  nations  melt,  the  tumult  dies. 

2  From  sea  to  sea,  through  all  the  shores, 
He  makes  the  noise  of  battle  cease ; 
When  from  on  high  his  thunder  roars, 
He  awes  the  trembling  world  to  peace. 

3  He  breaks  the  bow,  he  cuts  the  spear, 
Chariots  he  burns  with  heav'nly  flame ; 
Keep  silence,  all  the  earth,  and  hear 
The  sound  and  glory  of  his  name. 

4  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God ; 
I'll  be  exalted  o'er  the  lands, 

I  will  be  known  and  fear'd  abroad, 
But  still  my  throne  in  Zion  stands. 

529  C.  M.  Patrick. 

National  Tranquillity  from  God. 

1  In  vain  opposing  nations  rage, 

If  God  with  us  abide ; 
One  word  of  his  dissolves  their  strength 
And  humbles  all  their  pride. 

2  His  wisdom  sees  correction  meet, 

He  gives  the  dread  command, 

427 


530        PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

And  war  its  desolation  spreads 
Through  ev'ry  trembling  land. 

3  His  purpose  wrought,  again  he  speaks, 

And  desolations  cease  ; 
War's  loud  alarms  are  heard  no  more, 
And  all  the  world  is  peace. 

4  Mortals,  adore  his  sov'reign  pow'r, 

Nor  dare  provoke  his  rod ; 
Through  all  your  various  tribes  be  still 
And  know  that  he  is  God. 


530  L- M-  AlKlN« 

Hymn  in  Time  of  War. 

1  While  sounds  of  war  are  heard  around, 
And  death  and  ruin  strew  the  ground 
To  thee  we  look,  on  thee  we  call, 

The  Parent  and  the  Lord  of  all. 

2  Thou  who  hast  stamp'd  on  human  kind 
The  image  of  a  heav'n-born  mind, 
And  in  a  Father's  wide  embrace 

Hast  cherish'd  all  the  kindred  race, 

3  O  see  with  what  insatiate  rage 

Thy  sons  their  impious  battles  wage ; 
How  spreads  destruction  like  a  flood, 
And  brothers  shed  their  brothers'  blood ! 

4  See  guilty  passions  spring  to  birth, 
And  deeds  of  hell  deform  the  earth ; 
While  righteousness  and  justice  mourn, 
And  love  and  pity  droop  forlorn. 

428 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  531 

5  Great  God,  whose  pow'rful  hand  can  bind 
The  raging  waves,  the  furious  wind, 

O  bid  the  human  tempests  cease, 

And  hush  the  madd'ning  world  to  peace. 

6  With  rev'rence  may  each  hostile  land 
Hear  and  obey  that  high  command, 
Thy  Son's  blest  message  from  above, 
"  My  creatures,  live  in  mutual  love  !" 

531  L.  M.  Merrick. 

The  same  subject. 

1  O  come,  behold  a  scene  of  dread, 
Behold  a  world  with  slaughter  spread, 
And  know  'tis  God  who  bids  each  land 
Thus  feel  the  terrors  of  his  hand. 

2  'Tis  his  again  the  earth  to  cheer, 
To  break  the  bow,  to  snap  the  spear, 
To  wrap  in  flames  the  glitt'ring  car, 
And  hush  the  tumult  of  the  war. 

3  Behold  us,  Lord,  oppress'd  with  woe, 
As  exiled  from  thy  care  we  go ; 
Repulsed,  dispersed,  chastised  by  thee. 
Grant  us  again  thy  face  to  see. 

4  O  thou,  the  God  whom  we  adore, 
Our  breaches  heal,  our  peace  restore ; 
Our  hope,  on  man  reposed  in  vain, 

O  let  thy  strength,  great  God,  sustain. 

5  The  objects  of  thy  tend'rest  love 
O  save,  propitious  from  above ; 

429 


532  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Let  us  with  them  thy  mercy  share, 
And  hear,  0  hear,  our  ceaseless  pray'r. 

532  C.  M.  Tate. 

National  Deliverance. 

1  Thy  gracious  favor,  Lord,  display, 

Which  we  have  long  implored ; 
And  for  thy  wondrous  mercies'  sake. 
Thy  wonted  aid  afford. 

2  God's  answer  patiently  I'll  wait. 

For  he  with  glad  success, 
If  they  no  more  to  folly  turn, 
His  mourning  saints  will  bless. 

3  To  all  that  fear  his  holy  name 

His  sure  salvation's  near, 

And  in  its  former  happy  state 

Our  nation  shall  appear. 

4  For  Mercy  now  with  Truth  is  join'd 

And  Righteousness  with  Peace, 
Like  kind  companions  absent  long 
With  friendly  arms  embrace. 

5  Truth  from  the  earth  shall  spring,  whilst 

heav'n 
Shall  streams  of  justice  pour, 
And  God  from  whom  all  goodness  flows 
Shall  endless  plenty  show'r. 

6  Before  him  Righteousness  shall  march, 

And  his  just  paths  prepare, 
Whilst  we  his  holy  steps  pursue 
With  constant  zeal  and  care. 

430 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  533 

533  C.  M.  Pitt. 

God  Speaking  Peace. 

1  Still  to  the  mighty  Lord  of  hosts 

Securely  we  resort, 
For  refuge  fly  to  Jacob's  God, 
Our  succor  and  support. 

2  Hither,  ye  num'rous  nations,  crowd, 

In  silent  rapture  stand, 
And  see  o'er  all  the  earth  display'd 
The  wonders  of  his  hand. 

3  He  bids  the  din  of  war  be  still, 

And  all  its  tumults  cease ; 
He  bids  the  guiltless  trumpets  sound 
The  harmony  of  peace. 

4  He  breaks  the  tough,  reluctant  bow, 

Asunder  cuts  the  spear, 
And  in  the  crackling  fire  his  hand 
Consumes  the  blazing  car. 

5  Hear  then  his  formidable  voice, 

"  Be  still,  and  know  the  Lord ; 
By  all  the  heathen  I'll  be  fear'd, 
By  all  the  earth  adored." 

6  Still  to  the  mighty  Lord  of  hosts 

Securely  we  resort, 
For  refuge  fly  to  Jacob's  God, 
Our  succor  and  support. 

431 


534  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

534  C.  M.  Jervis. 

The  Providence  of  God  in  the  Changes  of  the  World. 

1  God,  to  correct  a  guilty  world, 

In  wrath  is  slow  to  rise, 
But  comes  at  length  in  thunder  clothed, 
And  darkness  veils  the  skies. 

2  His  awful  banners  lifted  high 

The  nations'  God  declare, 
And  stain'd  with  blood,  with  terrors  mark'd, 
Spread  wonder  and  despair. 

3  All  earthly  glory,  pomp  and  pride 

Are  in  his  presence  lost ; 
Empires    o'erturn'd,    thrones,    sceptres, 
crowns, 
In  wild  confusion  tost. 

4  While  war  and  misery  prevail, 

And  desolation  wide, 
In  God,  the  sov'reign  Lord  of  all, 
The  righteous  still  confide. 

5  Dark  and  mysterious  is  the  course 

Of  his  tremendous  way ; 
His  path  is  in  the  trackless  winds, 
And  in  the  foaming  sea. 

6  Yet  though  enveloped  in  the  cloud, 

And  from  our  view  conceal'd, 
The  righteous  Judge  will  soon  appear 
In  majesty  reveal'd. 

432 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  535,  536 

7  Then  will  he  curb  the  lawless  pow'r, 

The  deadly  wrath  of  man, 
And  all  the  windings  will  unfold 
Of  his  own  gracious  plan. 

8  Then  all  the  sons  of  tyranny 

In  ruin  shall  be  hurl'd, 
And  light  and  liberty  and  bliss 
Embrace  the  new-born  world. 


U35  L.  M.  Doddridge. 

Thanksgiving  for  National  Deliverance. 

1  Praise  to  the  Lord,  who  bows  his  ear 
Propitious  to  his  people's  pray'r, 
And  though  deliv'rance  long  delay, 
Answers  in  his  well  chosen  day. 

2  Our  temples,  guarded  from  the  flame, 
Shall  echo  thy  triumphant  name, 
And  ev'ry  peaceful  private  home 

To  thee  a  temple  shall  become. 

3  Still  be  it  our  supreme  delight 
To  walk  as  in  thy  honor' d  sight ; 
Still  in  thy  precepts  and  thy  fear 
Till  life's  last  hour  to  persevere. 

506  L-  M*  Mrs-  Steele, 

Praise  for  Peace. 

1   Great  Ruler  of  the  earth  and  skies, 
A  word  of  thine  almighty  breath 

2M  433 


537  PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

Can  sink  the  world  or  bid  it  rise ; 
Thy  smile  is  life,  thy  frown  is  death. 

2  When  angry  nations  rush  to  arms, 
And  rage  and  noise  and  tumult  reign, 
And  war  resounds  its  dire  alarms, 
And  slaughter  dyes  the  hostile  plain, 

3  Thy  sov'reign  eye  looks  calmly  down, 
And  marks  their  course  and  bounds  their 

powT ; 
Thy  law  the  angry  nations  own, 
And  noise  and  war  are  heard  no  more. 

4  Then  peace  returns  with  balmy  wing, 
Sweet  peace,  with  her  what  blessings  fled ! 
Glad  plenty  laughs,  the  valleys  sing, 
Reviving  commerce  lifts  her  head. 

5  Thou  good  and  wise  and  righteous  Lord. 
All  move  subservient  to  thy  will ; 

Both  peace  and  war  await  thy  word, 
And  thy  sublime  decrees  fulfil. 

6  To  thee  we  pay  our  grateful  songs, 
Thy  kind  protection  still  implore ; 

O  may  our  hearts  and  lives  and  tongues 
Confess  thy  goodness  and  adore. 


53*7  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

Thanksgiving  for  Peace. 

1  Now  let  our  songs  address  the  God  of  peace, 
Who  bids  the  tumult  of  the  battle  cease; 

434 


NATIONAL  HYMNS.  538 

The  pointed  spears  to  pruning  hooks  he 

bends, 
And  the  broad  falchion  in  the  ploughshare 
ends. 
His  pow'rful  word  unites  contending  nations 
In  kind  embrace  and  friendly  salutations. 

2  While  we  beneath  our  vines  and  fig-trees  sit, 
Or  thus  within  thy  sacred  temple  meet, 
Accept,  great  God,  the  tribute  of  our  song, 
And  all  the  mercies  of  this  day  prolong : 

Then  spread  thy  peaceful  word  through  ev'ry 
nation, 

That  all  the  earth  may  hail  thy  great  salvation. 


U3§  P.  M.  Lewins  Mead  Col. 

Peace. 

1  Peace,  the  welcome  sound  proclaim, 
Dwell  with  rapture  on  the  theme ; 
Loud,  still  louder  swell  the  strain, 
Peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men. 

2  Breezes,  whisp'ring  soft  and  low, 
Gently  murmur  as  ye  blow, 
Now  when  war  and  discord  cease, 
Praises  to  the  God  of  peace. 

3  Ocean's  billows,  far  and  wide 
Rolling  in  majestic  pride, 

Loud,  still  louder,  swell  the  strain, 
Peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men, 

435 


539,  540         PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

4  Vocal  songsters  of  the  grove, 
Sweetly  chant  in  notes  of  love, 
Now  when  war  and  discord  cease, 
Praises  to  the  God  of  peace. 

5  Mortals,  who  these  blessings  feel, 
Christians,  who  before  him  kneel, 
Loud,  still  louder,  swell  the  strain. 
Peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men. 


Close  of  the  Service. 

539  p  M 

After  Sermon. 

1  Thanks  for  mercies  past  receive, 
Pardon  of  our  sins  renew, 
Teach  us  henceforth  how  to  live 
With  eternity  in  view. 

2  Bless  thy  word  to  old  and  young, 
Grant  us,  Lord,  thy  peace  and  love, 
And,  e'er  life's  short  race  is  run, 
Fit  us  for  thy  house  above. 

g^Q  C.  M.  Deacon 

Close  of  the  Service. 

1   O  for  a  plenitude  of  grace 
Descending  from  above, 
To  animate  the  human  race 
With  peace  and  joy  and  love. 

436 


CLOSE  OF  SERVICE.  541,  542 

•2  Grant,  heav'nly  King,  what  we  desire, 
And  send  the  happy  day 
When  all  shall  after  thee  inquire 
And  cheerfully  obey. 

3  Then  will  the  nations  serve  the  Lord 
With  purity  and  zeal, 
With  candor  hear  his  blessed  word, 
With  pleasure  do  his  will. 

54J[  P.  M.  TOPLADY. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing, 

Fill  our  hearts  with  joy  and  peace, 
Let  us  each  thy  love  possessing, 
Triumph  in  redeeming  grace  : 

O  refresh  us 
Traveling  through  this  wilderness. 

2  Thanks  we  give  and  adoration 

For  thy  gospel's  joyful  sound ; 
May  the  fruits  of  thy  salvation 
In  our  hearts  and  lives  abound  : 

May  thy  presence 
With  us  evermore  be  found. 

542  l.  m. 

Jit  the  Close  of  the  Evening  Service. 

1  How  blest  is  he  whose  tranquil  mind 
When  life  declines  recalls  again 
The  years  that  time  has  cast  behind, 
And  reaps  delight  in  toil  and  pain. 

2  m*  437 


543,  544        PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 

2  So  when  the  transient  storm  is  past, 
The  sudden  gloom  and  driving  show'r, 
The  sweetest  sunshine  is  the  last, 
The  loveliest  is  the  ev'ning  hour. 

543  c- M- 

The  same  subject. 

1  Soon  will  our  fleeting  hours  be  past, 

And  as  the  setting  sun 
Now  leaves  the  clouds  in  yonder  west, 
Our  parting  beams  be  gone. 

2  May  he  from  whom  all  blessings  flow 

Our  sacred  rites  attend, 
Unite  our  hearts  in  wisdom's  ways 
Till  life's  short  journey  end, 

3  And  as  the  rapid  sands  run  down, 

Our  virtue  still  improve, 
Till  each  receives  the  glorious  crown 
Of  never-fading  love. 

5JLJL  k"  M.  Doddridge. 

Hie  Christian  Farewell. 

1  Thy  presence,  everlasting  God, 

Wide  through  all  nature  spreads  abroad ; 
Thy  watchful  eyes,  which  never  sleep, 
In  ev'ry  place  thy  children  keep. 

2  While  near  each  other  we  remain 
Thou  dost  our  lives  and  pow'rs  sustain, 
When  sep'rate  we  rejoice  to  share 
Thy  counsels  and  thy  gracious  care. 

438 


CLOSE  OF  SERVICE.  544 

3  To  thee  we  now  commit  our  ways, 
And  still  implore  thy  heav'nly  grace ; 
Still  cause  thy  face  on  us  to  shine, 
And  guard  and  guide  us  still  as  thine. 

4  Give  us  in  thy  beloved  house 
Again  to  pay  our  grateful  vows, 
Or  if  that  joy  no  more  be  known, 
Give  us  to  meet  around  thy  throne. 


PART   XVI 


DOMESTIC  AND  PRIVATE  WORSHIP. 


54U5  k.  M.  Doddridge. 

Family  Worship. 

1  Father  of  men,  thy  care  we  bless 
Which  crowns  our  families  with  peace ; 
From  thee  they  sprung,  and  by  thy  hand 
Their  root  and  branches  are  sustained. 

2  To  God,  most  wrorthy  to  be  praised, 
Be  our  domestic  altars  raised ; 

Though  Lord  of  heav'n,  he  deigns  to  dwell 
With  saints  in  their  obscurest  cell. 

3  To  thee  let  each  united  house 
Morning  and  night  present  its  vows ; 
Our  servants  there  and  rising  race 
Be  taught  thy  precepts  and  thy  grace. 

4  O  may  each  future  age  proclaim 
The  honors  of  thy  glorious  name, 

440 


DOMESTIC  AND  PRIVATE  WORSHIP.    546,  547 

While  pleased  and  thankful  we  remove 
To  join  the  family  above. 


g ZJ_g  L.  M.  Miss  Scott. 

The  same. 

1  Where'er  the  Lord  shall  build  my  house 
An  altar  to  his  name  I'll  raise, 

There  morn  and  ev'ning  shall  ascend 
The  sacrifice  of  pray'r  and  praise. 

2  With  duteous  mind  the  social  band 
Shall  search  the  records  of  thy  law; 
There  learn  thy  will  and  humbly  bow 
With  filial  reverence  and  awe. 

3  If  num'rous  blessings  of  the  earth 
Indulgent  providence  afford, 

Our  grateful  tribute  to  the  Lord. 


4  Here  may  he  fix  his  sacred  seat 
And  spread  the  banner  of  his  love, 
Till  ripen'd  for  a  happier  state, 
We  meet  th'  assembled  church  above. 


U^iy  C.  M.  D.  Taylor's  Col." 

The  same. 

1  Great  God,  where'er  we  pitch  our  tent, 
Let  us  an  altar  raise ; 
And  there  with  humble  frame  present 
Our  sacrifice  of  praise. 

441 


548  DOMESTIC  AND 

3  To  thee  we  give  our  health  and  strength 
While  health  and  strength  shall  last, 
For  future  mercies  humbly  trust, 
Nor  e'er  forget  the  past. 


54§  S.  M.  Watts. 

Domestic  Harmony. 

Lo,  what  a  pleasing  sight 
Are  brethren  that  agree  ! 
How  blest  are  all  whose  hearts  unite 
In  bands  of  piety  ! 

From  those  celestial  springs 
Such  streams  of  comfort  flow, 
As  no  increase  of  riches  brings 
Nor  honors  can  bestow. 

And  each  performs  his  part 
In  all  the  cares  of  life  and  love 
With  sympathizing  heart  : 

Form'd  for  the  purest  joys, 
By  one  desire  possest, 
One  aim  the  zeal  of  all  employs, 
To  make  each  other  blest. 

No  bliss  can  equal  theirs 
Where  such  affections  meet; 
While  praise  devout  and  mingled  pray'rs 
Make  their  communion  sweet. 

442 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  549 

'Tis  the  same  pleasure  tills 
The  breast  in  worlds  above, 
Where  joy  like  morning  dew  distils 
And  all  the  air  is  love. 


gzf.f£  L.  M.  Mrs.  Barbauld. 

Pious  Friendship. 

1  How  blest  the  sacred  tie  that  binds 
In  union  sweet,  according  minds  ! 
Hov/  swift  the  heav'nly  course  they  run 
Whose  hearts,  whose   faith,  whose   hopes 

are  one ! 

2  To  each  the  soul  of  each  how  dear  ! 
What  jealous  love,  what  holy  fear  ! 
How  doth  the  gen'rous  flame  within 
Refine  from  earth  and  cleanse  from  sin  ! 

3  Their  streaming  eyes  together  flow 
For  human  guilt  and  mortal  woe, 
Their  ardent  pray'rs  together  rise 
Like  mingling  flames  in  sacrifice. 

4  Together  both  they  seek  the  place 
Where  God  reveals  his  awful  face ; 

How  high,  how  strong  their  raptures  swell, 
There's  none  but  kindred  souls  can  tell. 

5  Nor  shall  the  glowing  flame  expire 
'Midst  nature's  drooping,  sick'ning  fire  : 
Soon  shall  they  meet  in  realms  above, 
A  heav'n  of  joy — because  of  love. 

443 


550  DOMESTIC  AND 

550  CM.  Doddridge. 

Living  in  the  Fear  of  God. 

1  Thrice  happy  men  who  born  from  heav'n. 

While  yet  they  sojourn  here, 
Each  day  of  life  with  God  begin 
And  spend  it  in  his  fear. 

2  'Midst  hourly  cares  may  we  present 

Our  off'rings  at  thy  throne, 
And  while  the  world  our  hands  employs 
Our  hearts  be  thine  alone. 

3  As  sanctified  to  noblest  ends 

Be  each  refreshment  sought, 
And  by  each  various  providence 
Some  wise  instruction  brought. 

4  When  to  laborious  duties  call'd, 

Or  by  temptations  tried, 
We'll  seek  the  shelter  of  thy  wings 
And  in  thy  strength  confide. 

5  As  diff'rent  scenes  of  life  arise, 

Our  grateful  hearts  would  be 
With  thee  amidst  the  social  band, 
In  solitude  with  thee. 

6  In  solid,  pure  delights  like  these 

Let  all  our  days  be  past, 
Nor  shall  we  then  impatient  wish, 
Nor  shall  we  fear  the  last. 

444 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  551.  552 

gUJ  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Prosperity  from  the  Blessing  of  God. 

1  Shine  on  our  souls,  Eternal  God, 

With  rays  of  mercy  shine ; 
0  let  thy  favor  crown  our  days, 
And  their  whole  course  be  thine. 

2  Did  we  not  raise  our  hands  to  thee, 

Our  hands  might  toil  in  vain ; 
Small  joy  success  itself  could  give, 
If  thou  thy  love  restrain. 

3  With  thee  let  ev'ry  week  begin, 

With  thee  each  day  be  spent, 
For  thee  each  fleeting  hour  improved, 
Since  each  by  thee,  is  lent. 

4  Thus  cheer  us  through  this  toilsome  road 

Till  all  our  labors  cease, 
And  thus  prepare  our  weary  souls 
For  everlasting  peace. 

552  C-  M*  Doddridge. 

Secret  Devotion. 

1  Father  Divine,  thy  piercing  eye 

Looks  through  the  shades  of  night; 
In  deep  retirement  thou  art  nigh 
With  heart-discerning  sight. 

2  There  shall  that  piercing  eye  survey 

My  humble  worship  paid 
With  ev'ry  morning's  dawning  ray 
And  ev'ry  ev'ning's  shade. 

2  N  445 


553  DOMESTIC  AND 

3  I'll  leave  behind  each  earthly  care ; 

To  thee  my  soul  shall  soar, 
While  grateful  praise  and  fervent  prayer 
Employ  the  silent  hour. 

4  So  shall  the  visits  of  thy  love 

My  soul  in  secret  bless, 
So  shalt  thou  deign  in  worlds  above 
Thy  suppliant  to  confess. 


55*J  L.  M.  Watts. 

Retirement  and  Meditation. 

1  My  God,  permit  me  not  to  be 
A  stranger  to  myself  and  thee ; 
Amidst  a  thousand  thoughts  I  rove 
Forgetful  of  my  highest  love. 

2  Why  should  my  passions  mix  with  earth, 
And  thus  debase  my  heav'nly  birth  ? 
Why  should  I  cleave  to  things  below, 
And  let  my  God,  my  Father,  go? 

3  Call  me  away  from  flesh  and  sense ; 
Thy  gracious  word  can  draw  me  thence ; 
I  would  obey  the  voice  divine, 

And  all  inferior  joys  resign. 

4  Be  earth  with  all  her  scenes  withdrawn ; 
Let  noise  and  vanity  be  gone ; 

In  secret  silence  of  the  mind, 

My  heav'n,  and  there  my  God,  I  find. 

446 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  554 

IJgzj.  C  M.  Cowper. 

The  same  subject. 

1  Far  from  the  world,  O  Lord,  I  flee, 

From  strife  and  tumult  far, 
From  scenes  where  sin  is  waging  still 
Its  most  successful  war. 

2  The  calm  retreat,  the  silent  shade, 

With  prayer  and  praise  agree, 
And  seem  by  thy  sweet  bounty  made 
For  those  who  follow  thee. 

3  There  if  thy  presence  cheer  the  soul 

And  grace  her  mean  abode, 
O  with  what  peace  and  joy  and  love 
She  communes  with  her  God ! 

4  There  like  the  nightingale  she  pours 

Her  solitary  lays, 
Nor  asks  a  witness  of  her  song 
Nor  thirsts  for  human  praise. 

5  Author  and  Guardian  of  my  life, 

Sweet  Source  of  light  divine, 
And  all  harmonious  names  in  one, 
My  Father — -thou  art  mine. 

6  What  thanks  I  owe  thee,  and  what  love. 

A  boundless,  endless  store, 
Shall  echo  through  the  realms  above 
When  time  shall  be  no  more. 

447 


555,  556  domestic  and 

C.  M.  Watts. 

Devotion  in  sickness. 

1  Diseases  are  thy  servants,  Lord, 

They  come  at  thy  command ; 

I'll  not  attempt  a  murm'ring  word 

Against  thy  chast'ning  hand. 

2  I'm  but  a  sojourner  below, 

As  all  my  fathers  were ; 
May  I  be  well  prepared  to  go 
When  I  the  summons  hear. 

3  But  if  my  life  be  spared  awhile 

Before  my  last  remove, 
Thy  praise  shall  be  my  business  still, 
And  I'll  declare  thy  love. 


55($  L.  M.  Watts. 

Health  and  Sickness. 

1  Firm  was  my  health,  my  day  was  bright, 
And  I  presumed  'twould  ne'er  be  night ; 
Fondly  I  said  within  my  heart, 
Pleasure  and  peace  shall  ne'er  depart. 

2  But  I  forgot  thine  arm  was  strong, 
Which  made  mv  mountain  stand  so  long:, 
And  when  thy  face  was  turn'd  aside, 
My  health  was  gone,  my  comforts  died. 

3  Hear  me,  O  God  of  grace,  I  said, 
And  raise  me  from  among  the  dead ; 

448 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  557 

Thy  word  rebuked  the  pains  I  felt, 
Thy  pard'ning  love  removed  my  guilt. 

4  I  will  extol  thee,  Lord,  on  high ; 
At  thy  command  diseases  fly ; 
Who  but  a  God  can  speak  and  save 
From  the  dark  borders  of  the  grave  ? 

5  Thine  anger  but  a  moment  stays, 
Thy  love  is  life  and  length  of  days ; 
Though  grief  and  tears  the  night  employ, 
The  morning  star  restores  the  joy. 

55^  L.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Benefit  of  Divine  Correction. 

1  In  devious  paths  awhile  I  trod, 
Ere  yet  corrected  by  thy  rod, 

But  disciplined,  Great  Sire,  by  thee, 
Patient  I  bow  to  thy  decree. 

2  Blest  be  thy  hand,  severely  kind, 
Whose  stroke  recall'd  my  erring  mind, 
And  urged  me,  as  to  thee  I  turn, 
Thy  hallow' d  institutes  to  learn. 

3  But  O,  if  yet  my  sins  demand 
The  wise  corrections  of  thv  hand, 

Lord,  give  my  pains  their  bounds  to  know, 
And  fix  a  period  to  my  woe. 

4  Hence,  ye  profane,  my  Saviour  hears ; 
While  yet  I  speak,  he  wipes  my  tears ; 
My  Saviour  hears,  and  deigns  to  save 
His  servant  from  the  op'ning  grave. 

2  n*  449 


558  DOMESTIC  AND 

558  C.  M.  Watts. 

Benefit  of  Afflictions, 

1  Consider  all  my  sorrows,  Lord, 

And  thy  deliv'rance  send ; 
My  soul  for  thy  salvation  faints, 
"When  will  my  troubles  end ! 

2  Yet  I  have  found  'tis  good  for  me 

To  bear  my  Father's  rod ; 
Afflictions  make  me  learn  thy  law 
And  live  upon  my  God. 

3  This  is  the  comfort  I  enjoy 

When  new  distress  begins, 
I  read  thy  word,  I  run  thy  way, 
And  hate  my  former  sins. 

4  Had  not  thy  word  been  my  delight 

When  earthly  joys  were  fled, 
My  soul,  oppress'd  with  sorrow's  weight, 
Had  sunk  amongst  the  dead. 

5  I  know  thy  judgments,  Lord,  are  right, 

Though  they  may  seem  severe ; 
The  sharpest  suff'rings  I  endure 
Flow  from  thy  faithful  care. 

6  Before  I  knew  thy  chast'ning  rod 

My  feet  were  apt  to  stray, 
But  now  I  learn  to  keep  thy  Word, 
Nor  wander  from  thy  way. 

450 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  559,  560 


559  C.  M.  Watts. 

Recovery  from  Sickness. 

1  I  love  the  Lord ;  he  heard  my  cries, 

And  pitied  ev'ry  groan ; 
Long  as  I  live,  when  troubles  rise, 
I'll  hasten  to  his  throne. 

2  I  love  the  Lord ;  he  bow'd  his  ear, 

And  chased  my  griefs  away ; 

O  let  my  heart  no  more  despair 

While  I  have  breath  to  pray. 

3  Among  my  friends  and  in  this  house 

My  ofFrings  shall  be  paid ; 
There  shall  my  zeal  perform  the  vows 
My  soul  in  anguish  made. 

4  The  Lord  beheld  me  sore  distrest, 

He  bade  my  pains  remove ; 
Return,  my  soul,  to  God,  thy  rest, 
For  thou  hast  known  his  love. 


5©0  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Tlie  same. 

1  My  God,  thy  service  well  demands 

The  remnant  of  my  days ; 
Why  was  this  fleeting  breath  renew'd 
But  to  renew  thy  praise  ? 

2  Thine  arms  of  everlasting  love 

Did  this  weak  frame  sustain, 

451 


561  DOMESTIC  AND 

When  life  was  ho v' ring  o'er  the  grave 
And  nature  sunk  in  pain. 

3  Calmly  I  bow'd  my  fainting  head 

Upon  thy  faithful  breast, 
Pleased  to  obey  my  Father's  call 
To  his  eternal  rest. 

4  Into  thy  hands,  my  Saviour  God, 

Did  I  my  soul  resign, 
In  firm  dependence  on  that  truth 
Which  made  salvation  mine. 

5  Back  from  the  borders  of  the  grave 

At  thy  command  I  come, 
Nor  would  I  urge  a  speedier  flight 
To  my  celestial  home. 

6  Where  thou  determin'st  mine  abode, 

There  would  I  choose  to  be, 
For  in  thy  presence  death  is  life, 
And  earth  is  heav'n  with  thee. 

561  C-  M-  Mrs*  Steele. 

Support  in  Affliction. 

1  Now  to  thy  heav'nly  Father's  praise, 

My  heart,  thy  tribute  bring ; 
That  goodness  which  prolongs  my  days, 
With  grateful  pleasure  sing. 

2  Whene'er  he  sends  afflicting  pains, 

His  mercy  holds  the  rod ; 
His  pow'rful  word  the  heart  sustains, 
And  speaks  a  faithful  God. 

452 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  562 

3  A  faithful  God  is  ever  nigh 

When  humble  grief  implores ; 
His  ear  attends  each  plaintive  sigh, 
He  pities  and  restores. 

4  Lord,  I  am  thine,  for  ever  thine, 

Nor  shall  my  purpose  move  \ 
Thy  hand,  that  loosed  my  bonds  of  pain, 
Has  bound  me  with  thy  love. 

1502  C.  M.  Doddridge. 

Praise  for  Recovery  from  Sickness. 

1  Sov'reign  of  life,  I  own  thy  hand 

In  ev'ry  chast'ning  stroke, 
And  while  I  smart  beneath  thy  rod, 
Thy  presence  I  invoke. 

2  To  thee  in  my  distress  I  cried, 

And  thou  hast  bow'd  thine  ear ; 
Thy  pow'rful  word  my  life  prolong 'd 
And  brought  salvation  near. 

3  Unfold  the  gates  of  righteousness, 

That  with  the  pious  throng 

I  may  record  my  solemn  vows 

And  tune  my  grateful  song. 

4  Praise  to  the  Lord,  whose  gentle  hand 

Renews  our  lab'ring  breath ; 
Praise  to  the  Lord,  who  makes  his  saints 
Triumphant  ev'n  in  death. 

5  My  God,  in  thine  appointed  hour 

Those  heav'nly  gates  display, 

453 


563,  564  domestic  and 

Where  pain  and  sin  and  fear  and  death 
For  ever  flee  away  : 

6  There  while  the  nations  of  the  bless 'd 
With  raptures  bow  around, 
My  anthems  to  deli v' ring  grace 
In  sweeter  strains  shall  sound. 


£563  L*  M*  Mrs*  Steele. 

Gratitude  and  Devotion. 

1  What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord, 
Or  how  his  wondrous  grace  record? 
To  him  my  grateful  voice  I'll  raise, 
And  pour  libations  to  his  praise. 

2  His  crowded  courts  shall  see  me  pay 
The  vows  of  my  distressful  day ; 

In  life  and  death  the  saints  shall  find 
Their  guardian  God  for  ever  kind. 

3  Thy  servant,  Lord,  is  wholly  thine, 
By  nature's  ties  and  bonds  divine ; 
From  deep  distress  and  sorrow  free, 
Anew  I  give  myself  to  thee. 

564  C.  M.  Boyse. 

Life  Reviewed. 

1  When  o'er  the  trodden  paths  of  life 
Backwards  I  turn  mine  eyes, 
What  varied  scenes  throughout  the  road 
Awaken  my  surprise ! 

454 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  565 

Thousands  to  whom  my  natal  hour 

Imparted  vital  breath, 
Just  look'd  on  life  and  closed  their  eyes- 

In  the  fast  sleep  of  death. 

Thousands  who  climb'd  to  manhood's  stage 
Safe  through  unnumber'd  snares, 

Travell'd  not  far  before  they  sunk 
Amidst  its  thorns  and  cares. 

Follow'd  through  ev'ry  changing  stage 

With  goodness  all  my  days, 
Deny  me  not  a  heart  to  love, 

A  tongue  to  speak  thy  praise. 

Ten  thousand  thousand  thanks  to  thee 

Echo  along  the  road; 
O  may  I  join  those  endless  songs 

That  fill  thy  blest  abode. 

U6I5  L.  M.  Stogdon. 

Despair  no  Virtue. 
What  mean  these  jealousies  and  fears, 


As  if  my  Lord  were  loth  to  save, 
Or  loved  to  see  us  steep'd  in  tears, 
And  sink  with  sorrow  to  the  grave  ? 

2  Does  he  w^ant  slaves  to  grace  his  throne, 
Or  crush  them  with  an  iron  rod  ? 

Is  he  refreshed  to  hear  us  groan, 
Is  he  a  tyrant,  or  a  God  ? 

3  Not  all  th'  iniquities  thou'st  wrought 
So  much  his  tender  mercies  grieve, 

455 


566,  567  domestic  and 

As  this  unkind,  injurious  thought, 
That  he's  unwilling  to  forgive. 

566  L.  M.  Cowper. 
God  is  Love. 

1  When  darkness  long  has  veil'd  my  mind, 
And  smiling  day  once  more  appears, 
Then,  my  Creator,  then  I  find 

The  folly  of  my  doubts  and  fears. 

2  Straight  I  upbraid  my  wand'ring  heart, 
And  blush  that  I  should  ever  be 
Thus  prone  to  act  so  base  a  part 

Or  harbor  one  hard  thought  of  thee. 

3  0  let  me  then  at  length  be  taught 
What  I  am  still  so  slow  to  learn, 
That  God  is  love,  and  changes  not, 
Nor  knows  the  shadow  of  a  turn. 

4  Sweet  truth,  and  easy  to  repeat, 
But  when  my  faith  is  sharply  tried, 
I  find  myself  a  learner  yet, 
Unskilful,  weak  and  apt  to  slide. 

5  But,  O  my  God,  one  look  from  thee 
Subdues  the  disobedient  will, 
Drives  doubt  and  discontent  away, 
And  thy  rebellious  worm  is  still. 

567  C.  M.  '  Mrs.  Steele. 
The  Presence  of  God  in  Affliction. 

1  In  vain,  while  dark  affliction  spreads 
Her  melancholy  gloom, 

456 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  568 

Kind  providence  its  blessings  sheds, 
And  nature's  beauties  bloom. 

2  For  all  that  charms  the  taste  or  sight 

My  heart  no  wish  respires ; 
O  for  a  beam  of  heav'nly  light 
When  earthly  hope  expires. 

3  Thou  only  centre  of  my  rest, 

Look  down  with  pitying  eye, 
While  with  protracted  pain  opprest 
I  breathe  the  plaintive  sigh. 

4  Thy  gracious  presence,  O  my  God, 

My  ev'ry  wish  contains ; 
With  this,  beneath  affliction's  load 
My  heart  no  more  complains. 

5  This  can  my  ev'ry  care  control, 

Gild  each  dark  scene  with  light ; 
This  is  the  sunshine  of  the  soul, 
Without  it  all  is  night. 

5@g  C.  M.  Cotton. 

God  the  Refuge  of  the  Afflicted. 

1  Affliction  is  a  stormy  deep 

Where  wave  resounds  to  wave  ; 
Though  o'er  my  head  the  billows  roll, 
I  know  the  Lord  can  save. 

2  Perhaps  before  the  morning  dawn 

He  will  restore  my  peace, 
For  he  who  bade  the  tempest  roar 
'Can  bid  the  tempest  cease. 

2  0  457 


569  DOMESTIC  AND 

3  In  the  dark  watches  of  the  nig-ht 

I'll  count  his  mercies  o'er, 
I'll  praise  him  for  ten  thousand  past, 
And  humbly  sue  for  more. 

4  Here  will  I  rest,  here  build  my  hopes, 

Nor  murmur  at  his  rod ; 
He's  more  than  all  the  world  to  me, 
My  Health,  my  Life,  my  God. 


5©9  C.  M.  Watts. 

Imploring  Divine  Consolation. 

1  Return,  O  God  of  love,  return, 

Reveal  thy  wonted  grace ; 
How  long  shall  we  thy  children  mourn 
Our  absence  from  thy  face  ? 

2  Let  heav'n  succeed  our  painful  years, 

Let  sin  and  sorrow  cease, 
And  in  proportion  to  our  tears, 
So  make  our  joys  increase. 

3  Thy  wonders  to  thy  servants  show, 

Make  thy  own  work  complete ; 
Then  shall  our  souls  thy  glory  know 
And  own  thy  love  is  great. 

4  Then  shall  we  shine  before  thy  throne 

And  see  thy  glory,  Lord, 
And  the  poor  service  we  have  done 
Meet  a  divine  reward. 

458 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP  570,  571 

57©  L.  M.  Jervis. 

The  Prospect  of  Sickness  and  Death. 

1  When  all  the  pow'rs  of  nature  fail, 
When  sickness  shall  my  heart  assail, 
Shall  ev'ry  nobler  part  pervade, 
And  ev'ry  earthly  wish  shall  fade  : 

2  When  pain,  of  ev'ry  nerve  possest, 
Shall  vibrate  in  my  throbbing  breast, 
Or  languor  o'er  my  senses  steal, 
And  med'cine  lose  its  pow'r  to  heal: 

3  When  death  shall  chill  the  vital  heat, 
When  this  fond  heart  shall  cease  to  beat, 
This  falt'ring  tongue  forget  to  speak, 

"  A  mortal  paleness  on  my  cheek :" 

4  When  my  dim  eyes  are  sunk  in  death, 
And  God  who  gave  shall  take  my  breath, 
May  he  sustain  my  fainting  heart, 

And  comfort  to  my  soul  impart. 

5  May  his  bright  presence  bring  relief 
From  fear,  despondency  and  grief, 
His  cheering  voice  direct  my  way 
To  regions  of  eternal  day. 

571  C.  M.  Burns. 

A  Prayer  in  the  Prospect  of  Death, 

1   O  thou  unknown,  almighty  Cause 
Of  all  my  hope  and  fear, 
In  whose  dread  presence  after  death 
I  surely  must  appear, 

459 


572  DOMESTIC  AND 

2  If  I  have  wander  d  in  those  paths 

Of  life  I  ought  to  shun, 
As  something  loudly  in  my  breast 
Remonstrates  I  have  done  : 

3  Where  human  weakness  has  come  short 

Or  frailty  stepp'd  aside, 
Do  thou,  All-good,  for  such  thou  art, 
In  shades  of  darkness  hide. 

4  Where  with  intention  I  have  err'd, 

No  other  plea  I  have, 
But  thou  art  good,  and  goodness  still 
Delighteth  to  forgive. 

5^2  C.  M.  Enfield's  Col. 

Comfort  in  Sickness  and  Death. 

1  When  sickness  shakes  the  languid  frame. 

Each  dazzling  pleasure  flies, 
Phantoms  of  bliss  no  more  obscure 
Our  long-deluded  eyes. 

2  Then  the  tremendous  arm  of  death 

Its  hated  sceptre  shows, 
And  nature  faints  beneath  the  weight 
Of  complicated  woes. 

3  The  tott'ring  frame  of  mortal  life 

Shall  crumble  into  dust, 
Nature  shall  faint — but  learn,  my  soul, 
In  nature's  God  to  trust. 

4  The  man  whose  pious  heart  is  fix'd 

On  his  all-gracious  God, 

460 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  573 

In  every  frown  may  comfort  find 
And  kiss  the  chast'ning  rod. 

Nor  him  shall  death  itself  alarm, 

On  heav'n  his  soul  relies. 
With  joy  he  views  his  Maker's  love, 

And  with  composure  dies. 

573  S.  M.  Doddridge. 

Support  in  Death. 

Behold  the  gloomy  vale 
Which  thou,  my  soul,  must  tread, 
Beset  with  terrors  fierce  and  pale, 
That  leads  thee  to  the  dead. 

Ye  pleasing  scenes,  adieu, 
Which  I  so  long  have  known ; 
My  friends,  a  long  farewell  to  you, 
For  I  must  pass  alone. 

And  thou,  beloved  clay, 
Long  partner  of  my  cares, 
In  this  rough  path  art  torn  away 
With  agony  and  tears. 

But  see,  a  ray  of  light, 
With  splendors  all  divine, 
Breaks  through  these  dreary  realms  of  night, 
And  makes  its  horrors  shine. 

Where  death,  where  darkness  reigns, 
Jehovah  is  my  stay, 
His  rod  my  trembling  feet  sustains, 
His  staff  defends  my  way. 

-3  o  *  461 


574  DOMESTIC  AND 

6       Great  Shepherd,  lead  me  on, 
My  soul  disdains  to  fear ; 
Death's  gloomy  phantoms  all  are  flown 
Now  life's  great  Lord  is  near. 

574  C.  M.  Addison. 

Hope  in  the  Divine  Mercy. 

1  When  rising  from  the  bed  of  death 

O'erwhelm'd  with  guilt  and  fear, 
I  see  my  Maker  face  to  face, 
O  how  shall  I  appear ! 

2  If  yet  while  pardon  may  be  found 

And  mercy  may  be  sought, 
My  heart  with  inward  horror  shrinks 
And  trembles  at  the  thought : 

3  When  thou,  O  Lord,  shall  stand  disclosed 

In  majesty  severe, 
And  sit  in  judgment  on  my  soul, 
O  how  shall  I  appear  ? 

4  But  there's  forgiveness,  Lord,  with  thee  ; 

Thy  nature  is  benign ; 
Thy  pard'ning  mercy  I  implore, 
For  mercy,  Lord,  is  thine. 

5  O  let  thy  boundless  mercy  shine 

On  my  benighted  soul ; 
Correct  my  passions,  mend  my  heart, 
And  all  my  fears  control. 

6  And  may  I  taste  thy  richer  grace 

In  that  decisive  hour 

462 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  575 

When  Christ  to  judgment  shall  descend 
And  time  shall  be  no  more. 

575  C.  M.  Watts. 

For  a  Master  of  a  Family. 

1  Of  justice  and  of  truth  I  sing, 

And  pay  my  God  my  vows; 
With  truth  and  justice,  heav'nly  King, 
Teach  me  to  rule  my  house. 

2  Now  to  my  tent,  O  God,  be  near, 

And  make  thy  servant  wise, 

And  let  me  suffer  nothing  there 

That  shall  offend  thy  eyes. 

3  The  man  who  doth  his  neighbor  wrong, 

Or  dares  oppress  the  poor, 
The  scornful  eye,  the  sland'rous  tongue. 
Be  distant  from  my  door. 

4  Still  may  I  seek  the  good  and  just, 

And  still  their  help  enjoy ; 
Such  be  the  friends  that  I  shall  trust, 
The  servants  I  employ. 

5  While  sin  in  others  I  reprove, 

Be  ev'ry  virtue  mine, 
And  let  the  wisdom  from  above 
Through  all  my  conduct  shine. 

6  Who  shall  the  most  in  love  abound, 

Our  sole  contention  be ; 
So  shall  my  house  be  ever  found 
A  dwelling  dear  to  thee. 

463 


576  DOMESTIC  AND 

•>T6  p-  M*  Merrick. 

The  Dwellings  of  the  Righteous* 

1  Mercy,  judgment,  now  my  tongue 
Makes  the  subject  of  its  song ; 
Lord,  to  whom  then  shall  I  sing, 
But  to  thee,  th'  eternal  King  ? 

2  Wisdom  shall  my  footsteps  guide, 
Nor  permit  my  feet  to  slide, 

Or  from  tlry  all-perfect  way 
Lost  in  paths  of  sin  to  stray. 

3  Come,  O  come,  celestial  guest, 
Let  my  roof  with  thee  be  blest, 
Let  thy  beams  effulgent  play, 
And  within  my  mansion  stay. 

4  Lo,  my  heart  with  studious  care 
For  thy  presence  I  prepare, 
And  my  dwelling's  full  extent 
Spotless  to  thy  view  present. 

5  Ne'er  shall  my  presumptuous  hand 
Dare  to  break  thy  just  command, 
Ne'er  within  me  shalt  thou  find 
Aught  that  speaks  a  faithless  mind. 

6  Come,  ye  faithful,  just  and  good, 
Eager  for  the  bright  abode, 
Come,  ye  pure  in  heart,  O  come, 
Sure  with  me  to  find  a  home. 

464 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  577,  578 

577  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Young  Instructed  by  the  Past. 

1  Let  children  hear  the  mighty  deeds 

Which  God  perform' d  of  old, 
Which  in  our  younger  years  we  saw, 
And  which  our  fathers  told. 

2  He  bids  us  make  his  glories  known, 

His  works  of  pow'r  and  grace, 
And  we'll  convey  his  wonders  down 
Through  ev'ry  rising  race. 

3  Our  lips  shall  tell  them  to  our  sons, 

And  they  again  to  theirs,    • 
That  generations  yet  unborn    - 
May  teach  them  to  their  heirs. 

4  Thus  shall  they  learn  in  God  alone 

Their  hope  securely  stands, 
That  they  may  ne'er  forget  his  works, 
But  practise  his  commands. 

57§  L.  M.  Watts. 

Instructions  of  Piety. 

1  Children,  in  years  and  knowledge  young, 
Your  parents'  hope,  your  parents'  joy, 
Attend  the  counsels  of  my  tongue ; 
Let  pious  thoughts  your  minds  employ. 

465 


579  DOMESTIC  AND 

2  If  you  desire  a  length  of  days, 

And  peace  to  crown  your  mortal  state, 
Restrain  your  feet  from  impious  ways, 
Your  lips  from  slander  and  deceit. 

3  To  humble  souls  and  broken  hearts 
God  with  his  grace  is  ever  nigh ; 
Pardon  and  hope  his  love  imparts 
When  men  in  deep  contrition  lie. 

5^9  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Advantages  of  Early  Religion. 

1  Happy  is  he  whose  early  years 

Receive  instruction  well, 
Who  hates' the  sinner's  path  and  fears 
The  road  that  leads  to  hell. 

2  For  youth  devoted  to  the  Lord 

Is  pleasing  in  his  eyes ; 
A  flow'r  when  offer'd  in  the  bud 
Is  no  vain  sacrifice. 

3  'Tis  easier  work  if  we  begin 

To  fear  the  Lord  betimes, 
While  sinners  who  grow  old  in  sin 
Are  harden'd  by  their  crimes. 

4  It  saves  us  from  a  thousand  snares 

To  mind  religion  young  ; 
With  joy  it  crowns  succeeding  years, 
And  makes  our  virtue  strong. 

5  To  thee,  almighty  God,  to  thee 

Our  hearts  we  now  resign ; 

466 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  580,  581 

'Twill  please  us  to  look  back  and  see 
That  our  wrhole  lives  were  thine. 

6  Let  the  sweet  work  of  pray'r  and  praise 
Employ  our  daily  breath; 
Thus  we're  prepared  for  future  days 
Or  fit  for  early  death. 

U§U  CM.  Salisbury  Col. 

Remember  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  Youth. 

1  In  the  soft  season  of  thy  youth, 

In  nature's  smiling  bloom, 
Ere  age  arrive  and  trembling  wait 
Its  summons  to  the  tomb, 

2  Remember  thy  Creator,  God  ; 

For  him  thy  pow'rs  employ ; 
Make  him  thy  fear,  thy  love,  thy  hope, 
Thy  confidence,  thy  joy. 

3  He  shall  defend  and  guide  thy  course 

Through  life's  uncertain  sea, 
Till  thou  art  landed  on  the  shore 
Of  bless'd  eternity. 

4  Then  seek  the  Lord  betimes  and  choose 

The  path  of  heav'nly  truth ; 
The  earth  affords  no  lovelier  sight 
Than  a  religious  youth. 

581  C.  M.  Logan. 

Heavenly  Wisdom. 

1  How  happy  is  the  man  who  hears 
Instruction's  warning  voice, 

467 


582  DOMESTIC  AND 

And  who  celestial  wisdom  makes 
His  early,  only  choice  ! 

2  Wisdom  has  treasures  greater  far 

Than  east  or  west  unfold, 
And  her  rewards  more  precious  are 
Than  is  the  gain  of  gold. 

3  In  her  right  hand  she  holds  to  view 

A  length  of  happy  years, 
And  in  her  left  the  prize  of  fame 
And  honor  bright  appears. 

4  She  guides  the  young  with  innocence 

In  pleasure's  path  to  tread ; 
A  crown  of  glory  she  bestows 
Upon  the  hoary  head. 

5  According  as  her  labors  rise 

So  her  rewards  increase  ; 
Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness 
And  all  her  paths  are  peace. 

582  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Aged  Christian 's  Hope. 

1  My  God,  my  everlasting  Hope, 

I  live  upon  thy  truth ; 
Thy  hands  have  held  my  childhood  up 
And  strengthen'd  all  my  youth. 

2  My  frame  was  fashion'd  by  thy  pow'r, 

And  shows  thy  skill  divine, 
And  from  my  life's  first  dawning  hour 
I've  been  entirely  thine. 

468 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  583 

3  Still  has  my  life  new  wonders  seen 

In  each  revolving  year ; 
Behold,  my  days  that  yet  remain, 
I  trust  them  to  thy  care. 

4  Cast  me  not  off  when  strength  declines, 

When  hoary  hairs  arise ; 
And  round  me  let  thy  glory  shine 
Whene'er  thy  servant  dies. 

5  Then  in  the  hist'ry  of  my  age, 

When  men  review  my  days, 
They'll  read  thy  love  in  ev'ry  page, 
In  ev'ry  line  thy  praise. 

5gg  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  Aged  Christian' 's  Prayer. 

1  God  of  my  childhood  and  my  youth, 

The  guide  of  all  my  days, 
I  have  declared  thy  heav'nly  truth 
And  told  thy  wondrous  ways. 

2  Wilt  thou  forsake  my  hoary  hairs, 

And  leave  my  fainting  heart  ? 
Who  shall  sustain  my  sinking  years, 
If  God,  my  strength,  depart  ? 

3  Let  me  thy  pow'r  and  truth  proclaim 

To  the  surviving  age, 
And  leave  a  savor  of  thy  name 
When  I  shall  quit  the  stage. 

4  The  land  of  silence  and  of  death 

Attends  my  next  remove ; 

2P  469 


584,  585  domestic  and 

O  may  these  poor  remains  of  breath 
Proclaim  thy  boundless  love. 

584  C.  M.  Williams's  Col. 

Prayer  for  Support  in  Old  Jlge. 

1  Eternal  Sire,  enthroned  on  high, 

Whom  heav'nly  hosts  adore, 
Who  yet  to  suppliant  dust  art  nigh, 
Thy  presence  I  implore. 

2  O  guide  me  down  the  steep  of  age, 

And  keep  my  passions  cool ; 
Teach  me  to  scan  the  sacred  page, 
And  practise  ev'ry  rule. 

3  My  flying  years  time  urges  on ; 

What's  human  must  decay ; 
My  friends,  my  youth's  companions  gone, 
Can  I  expect  to  stay  ? 

4  Ah  no — then  smooth  the  mortal  hour ; 

On  thee  my  hope  depends ; 
Support  me  with  almighty  pow'r 
While  dust  to  dust  descends. 

5§5  C.  M.  Logan. 

Trust  in  Providence. 

1  Almighty  Father  of  mankind, 

Do  thou  my  hopes  sustain, 
And  when  the  day  of  trouble  comes, 
I  shall  not  trust  in  vain. 

2  In  early  years  thou  wast  my  guide, 

And  of  my  youth  the  friend; 

470 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  586 

And  as  my  days  began  with  thee, 
With  thee  my  days  shall  end. 

3  My  God,  who  causedst  me  to  hope 

When  life  began  to  beat, 
And  when  a  stranger  in  the  world, 
Didst  guide  my  wand'ring  feet, 

4  Thou  wilt  not  cast  me  off  when  age 

And  evil  days  descend ; 
Thou  wilt  not  leave  me  in  despair 
To  mourn  my  latter  end. 

5  I  know  the  pow'r  in  whom  I  trust, 

The  arm  on  which  I  lean ; 
He  will  my  Saviour  ever  be 
Who  has  my  Saviour  been. 

586  C.  M.  Cotton. 

Absence  from  Social  Worship. 

1  O  the  abundance  of  thy  house, 

The  rich  refreshments  there ; 
To  live  an  exile  from  thy  courts 
Is  more  than  I  can  bear. 

2  In  worship  when  I  join'd  thy  saints, 

How  sweetly  pass'd  my  days ! 
Prayer  my  divine  employment  then, 
And  all  my  pleasure  praise. 

3  But  now  I'm  lost  to  ev'ry  joy, 

Because  detain'd  from  thee ; 
Those  golden  moments  ne'er  return, 
Or  ne'er  return  to  me. 

471 


587,  588  domestic  and 

4  Yet,  O  my  soul,  why  thus  depress'd, 

And  whence  this  anxious  fear? 
Let  former  kindness  fix  thy  trust, 
And  check  the  rising  tear. 

5  When  darkness  and  when  sorrows  rose 

And  press'd  on  ev'ry  side, 
Did  not  the  Lord  sustain  thy  steps, 
And  was  not  God  thy  guide  ? 

5gf  L.  M.  Merrick. 

Prayer  for  Life. 

1  To  thee,  great  God,  my  knees  I  bend ; 
To  thee  my  ceaseless  pray'rs  ascend ; 

0  let  my  sorrows  reach  thine  ears, 

And  mark  my  sighs,  my  groans,  my  tears. 

2  God  of  my  fathers,  here,  as  they, 

1  walk  the  pilgrim  of  a  day ; 

A  transient  guest,  thy  works  admire, 
And  instant  to  my  home  retire. 

3  0  spare  me,  Lord,  awhile,  0  spare, 
And  nature's  ruin'd  strength  repair, 
Ere,  life's  short  circuit  wander 'd  o'er, 
I  perish  and  am  seen  no  more. 

£>§g  C.  M.  Addison. 

The  Traveller's  Hymn. 

1  How  are  thy  servants  blest,  O  Lord, 
How  sure  is  their  defence ! 
Eternal  wisdom  is  their  guide, 
Their  help  omnipotence. 

472 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  588 

%  In  foreign  realms  and  lands  remote, 
Supported  by  thy  care, 
They  pass  unhurt  through  burning  climes 
And  breathe  in  tainted  air. 

3  Thy  mercy  sweetens  ev'ry  soil, 

Makes  ev'ry  region  please ; 
The  hoary  frozen  hills  it  warms 
And  smooths  the  boist'rous  seas. 

4  Though  by  the  dreadful  tempest  toss'd 

High  on  the  broken  wave, 
They  know  thou  art  not  slow  to  hear 
Nor  impotent  to  save. 

5  The  storm  is  laid,  the  winds  retire 

Obedient  to  thy  will ; 
The  sea  that  roars  at-  thy  command, 
At  thy  command  is  still. 

6  From  all  my  griefs  and  straits,  O  Lord, 

Thy  mercy  sets  me  free, 
Whilst  in  the  confidence  of  prayer 
My  heart  takes  hold  on  thee. 

7  In  midst  of  dangers,  fears  and  death, 

Thy  goodness  I'll  adore, 
And  praise  thee  for  thy  mercies  past, 
And  humbly  hope  for  more. 

8  My  life,  while  thou  preserv'st  my  life, 

Thy  sacrifice  shall  be ; 
And  O  may  death,  when  death  shall  come,. 
Unite  my  soul  to  thee. 

2p*    '  473 


589,  590  domestic  and 

5§9  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Mariner's  Hymn. 

1  God  of  the  seas,  thy  thund'ring  voice 
Makes  all  the  roaring  waves  rejoice, 
And  one  soft  word  of  thy  command 
Can  sink  them  silent  in  the  sand. 

2  The  scaly  tribes  amidst  the  sea 
To  thee,  their  Lord,  a  tribute  pay ; 
The  meanest  fish  that  swims  the  flood, 
Proclaims  the  mighty  pow'r  of  God. 

3  How  is  thy  glorious  pow'r  adored 
Amidst  the  wat'ry  nations,  Lord  ! 
Yet  the  bold  men  who  trace  the  seas, 
Shall  they  refuse  their  Maker's  praise  ? 

4  When  scenes  of  wonder  here  they  see, 
Then  let  them  raise  a  song  to  thee, 
And  while  the  flood  they  safely  ride, 
Bless  the  kind  hand  that  smooths  the  tide. 

590  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  Mariner's  Praise  for  Deliverance. 

1  Would  you  behold  the  works  of  God, 
His  wonders  in  the  world  abroad, 

Go  with  the  mariners  and  trace 
The  unknown  regions  of  the  seas. 

2  They  leave  their  native  shores  behind, 
And  seize  the  favor  of  the  wind, 

Till  God  command,  and  tempests  rise 
That  heave  the  ocean  to  the  skies. 

474 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  591 

3  When  land  is  far  and  death  is  nigh, 
Lost  to  all  hope,  to  God  they  cry ; 
His  mercy  hears  their  loud  address, 
And  sends  salvation  in  distress. 

4  He  bids  the  winds  their  wrath  assuage, 
The  furious  waves  forget  their  rage ; 
?Tis  calm,  and  sailors  smile  to  see 
The  haven  where  they  wish'd  to  be. 

5  O  may  the  sons  of  men  record 

The  wondrous  goodness  of  the  Lord ; 
Let  them  their  grateful  off' rings  bring, 
And  in  the  church  his  glory  sing. 

Hf)l  L.  M.  Merrick. 

The  Orphan's  Hymn. 

1  O  Hear  me,  Lord,  on  thee  I  call, 
And  prostrate  at  thy  footstool  fall ; 
Propitious  in  my  cause  appear, 
And  bow  to  my  request  thine  ear. 

2  "  Seek  ye  my  face  with  duteous  care, 
And  frequent  to  my  throne  repair;" 
Thus  to  my  heart  I  hear  thee  speak ; 
Thy  face,  my  heart  replies,  I  seek. 

3  Look  down,  my  only  hope,  look  dowrn ; 
Behold  me,  but  without  a  frown ; 
And  ne'er  to  my  desiring  eye 

Thy  presence,  heav'nly  Lord,  deny. 

4  O  let  me,  on  thy  aid  reclined, 
Thee  still  my  great  salvation  find ; 

475 


592  DOMESTIC  AND 

Nor  leave  me,  helpless  and  forlorn, 
The  absence  of  thy  grace  to  mourn. 

5  When,  doom'd  the  orphan's  lot  to  bear, 
No  father's  kind  concern  I  share, 

Nor  o'er  me  wakes  a  mother's  eye, 
My  wants  attentive  to  supply, 

6  Adopted  by  thy  care,  in  thee 
The  Parent  and  the  Friend  I  see  ; 
And  nourish' d  by  thy  fost'ring  hand, 
Within  thy  courts  secure  I  stand. 

592  C.  M.  Watts. 

A  Hymn  for  Morning  or  Evening. 

1  Hosanna  with  a  cheerful  sound 

To  God's  upholding  hand ; 
Ten  thousand  snares  our  paths  surround, 
And  yet  secure  we  stand. 

2  How  wondrous  is  that  mighty  pow'r 

Which  form'd  us  with  a  word ! 
And  ev'ry  day  and  every  hour 
We  lean  upon  the  Lord. 

3  The  ev'ning  rests  our  weary  head, 

And  mercy  guards  the  room ; 

We  wake,  and  we  admire  the  bed 

That  was  not  made  our  tomb. 

4  The  rising  morn  cannot  assure 

That  we  shall  end  the  day, 
For  death  stands  ready  at  the  door 
To  take  our  lives  away. 

476 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  593,  594 

5  God  is  our  sun,  whose  daily  light 
Our  joy  and  safety  brings ; 
Our  feeble  frame  lies  safe  at  night 
Beneath  his  shady  wings. 

'   59JJ  L.  M.  Watts. 

A  Hymn  for  Morning  or  Evening. 

1  My  God,  how  endless  is  thy  love  ! 
Thy  gifts  are  ev'ry  ev'ning  new, 
And  morning  mercies  from  above 
Gently  distil  like  early  dew. 

2  Thou  spread'st  the  curtains  of  the  night, 
Great  Guardian  of  my  sleeping  hours ; 
Thy  sov'reign  wrord  restores  the  light 
And  quickens  all  my  drowrsy  pow'rs. 

3  I  yield  my  pow'rs  to  thy  command ; 
To  thee  I  consecrate  my  days ; 
Perpetual  blessings  from  thy  hand 
Demand  perpetual  songs  of  praise. 

50  J.  C.  M.  Gentlemen's  Mag, 

Hymn  for  Daily  Protection. 

1  On  thee  each  morning,  O  my  God, 

My  waking  thoughts  attend ; 
In  thee  are  founded  all  my  hopes, 
In  thee  my  wishes  end. 

2  My  soul,  in  pleasing  wonder  lost, 

Thy  boundless  love  surveys, 
And  fired  with  grateful  zeal,  prepares 
A  sacrifice  of  praise. 

477 


595  DOMESTIC  AND 

3  God  leads  me  through  the  maze  of  sleep, 

And  brings  me  safe  to  light, 

And  with  the  same  paternal  care 

Conducts  my  steps  till  night. 

4  When  ev'ning  slumbers  press  my  eyes, 

With  his  protection  blest, 
In  peace  and  safety  I  commit 
My  weary  limbs  to  rest, 

5  My  spirit,  in  his  hand  secure, 

Fears  no  approaching  ill, 
For  whether  waking  or  asleep, 
Thou,  Lord,  art  with  me  still. 

595  C.  M.  Mrs.  Rowe. 

God's  Goodness  Morning  and  Evening. 

1  Great  God,  my  early  vows  to  thee 

With  gratitude  I'll  bring, 
And  at  the  rosy  dawn  of  day 
Thy  lofty  praises  sing. 

2  Thou  round  the  heav'nly  arch  dost  draw 

A  dark  and  sable  veil, 
And  all  the  beauties  of  the  world 
From  mortal  eyes  conceal. 

3  Again  the  sky  with  golden  beams 

Thy  skilful  hands  adorn, 
And  paint  with  cheerful  splendor  gay 
The  fair  ascending  morn. 

4  And  as  the  gloomy  night  returns, 

Or  smiling  days  renews, 

478 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  596 

Thy  constant  goodness  still  my  sonl 
With  benefits  pursues. 

5  For  this  will  I  my  vows  to  thee 
With  ev'ning  incense  bring- 
And  at  the  rosy  dawn  of  day 
Thy  lofty  praises  sing. 

596  C-  M*  Mrs.  Steele. 

A  Morning  Hymn. 

1  Lord  of  my  life,  0  may  thy  praise 

Employ  my  noblest  pow'rs, 
Whose  goodness  lengthens  out  my  days 
And  fills  the  circling  hours. 

2  Preserved  by  thy  almighty  arm, 

I  pass  the  shades  of  night 
Serene  and  safe  from  ev'ry  harm, 
And  see  returning  light. 

3  While  many  spent  the  night  in  sighs 

And  restless  pains  and  woes, 
In  gentle  sleep  I  closed  my  eyes 
And  undisturb'd  repose. 

4  When  sleep,  death's   semblance,  o'er  me 

spread, 
And  I  unconscious  lay, 
Thy  watchful  care  was  round  my  bed 
To  guard  my  feeble  clay. 

5  O  let  the  same  almighty  care 

My  waking  hours  attend ; 
From  ev'ry  danger,  ev'ry  snare, 
My  heedless  steps  defend. 

479 


597  DOMESTIC  AND 

6  Smile  on  my  minutes  as  they  roll, 
And  guide  my  future  days, 
And  let  thy  goodness  fill  my  soul 
With  gratitude  and  praise. 


597  L.  M.  Watts. 

The  same. 

1  God  of  the  morning,  at  whose  voice 
The  cheerful  sun  makes  haste  to  rise, 
And  like  a  giant  doth  rejoice 

To  run  his  journey  through  the  skies  : 

2  From  the  fair  chambers  of  the  east 
The  circuit  of  his  race  begins, 
And  without  weariness  or  rest 

Round  the  whole  earth  he  flies  and  shines. 


3  Thus  like  the  sun  may  I  fulfil 
Th'  appointed  duties  of  the  day, 
With  ready  mind  and  active  will 
March  on  and  keep  my  heav'nly  way. 

4  Lord,  thy  commands  are  clear  and  pure, 
Enlight'ning  our  beclouded  eyes ; 

Thy  threat'nings  just,  thy  promise  sure ; 
Thy  gospel  makes  the  simple  wise. 

5  Give  me  thy  counsel  for  my  guide, 
And  then  receive  me  to  thy  bliss ; 
All  my  desires  and  hopes  beside 

Are  faint  and  cold  compared  with  this. 

480 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  598,  599 

•}0§  C.  M.  Heginbotham. 

Jl  Morning  Hymn. 

1  Still  do  the  wheels  of  time  revolve, 

And  bear  this  life  along ; 
With  thanks  I  end  the  fleeting  days, 
And  hail  them  with  a  song. 

2  Lord,  what  is  man  when,  lost  in  sleep, 

Sense  and  reflection  dies? 
And  yet  from  this  defenceless  state 
With  new  delight  I  rise. 

3  Great  God  of  Hosts,  accept  the  song ; 

I  own  the  wondrous  grace ; 
O  may  the  Guardian  of  my  nights 
Delight  to  bless  my  days. 

4  'Tis  theirs  alone  such  bliss  to  know 

Who  do  their  Father's  will; 
Resolve,  my  soul,  and,  sin  subdued, 
Defy  each  mortal  ill. 

5  This  day  shall  ev'ry  hour  correct 

The  follies  of  the  past ; 
And  such  shall  all  its  actions  be 
As  would  adorn  the  last. 

599  L.  M.  Watts. 

Jin  Evening  Hymn. 

1  Thus  far  the  Lord  has  led  me  on ; 
Thus  far  his  pow'r  prolongs  my  days ; 
And  ev'ry  ev'ning  shall  make  known 
Some  fresh  memorial  of  his  grace. 

2  Q  481 


600  DOMESTIC  AND 

2  Much  of  my  time  has  run  to  waste, 
And  I  perhaps  am  near  my  home ; 
But  he  forgives  my  follies  past, 

And  strength  supplies  for  days  to  come. 

3  I  lay  my  body  down  to  sleep ; 
Peace  is  the  pillow  of  my  head  ; 
His  ever-watchful  eye  shall  keep 
Its  constant  guard  around  my  bed. 

4  Faith  in  his  name  forbids  my  fear ; 

0  may  thy  presence  ne'er  depart ; 
And  in  the  morning  may  I  bear 
Thy  loving  kindness  on  my  heart. 

5  Thus  when  the  night  of  death  shall  come 
My  flesh  shall  rest  beneath  the  ground, 
And  wait  thy  voice  to  burst  my  tomb, 
With  sweet  salvation  in  the  sound. 

600  C.  M.  Watts. 

The  same. 

1  Lord,  thou  wilt  hear  me  when  I  pray, 

I  am  for  ever  thine ; 

1  fear  before  thee  all  the  day, 

Nor  would  I  dare  to  sin. 

2  And  while  I  rest  my  weary  head, 

From  cares  and  bus'ness  free, 
'Tis  sweet  conversing  on  my  bed 
With  my  own  heart  and  thee. 

3  I  pay  this  ev'ning  sacrifice ; 

And  when  my  work  is  done, 

482 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  601,  602 

Great  God,  my  steadfast  faith  relies 
Upon  thy  grace  alone. 

4  Thus  with  my  thoughts  composed  to  peace, 
I'll  give  mine  eyes  to  sleep ; 
Thy  hand  in  safety  keeps  my  days, 
And  will  my  slumbers  keep. 


601  C-  M«  Watts. 

The  same. 

1  Lord,  when  I  count  thy  mercies  o'er, 

They  strike  me  with  surprise ; 
Not  all  the  sands  that  spread  the  shore 
To  equal  numbers  rise. 

2  My  frame  with  fear  and  wonder  stands 

The  product  of  thy  skill, 
And  hourly  blessings  from  thy  hands 
Thy  thoughts  of  love  reveal. 

3  These  on  my  heart  by  night  I  keep ; 

How  kind,  how  dear  to  me ! 
O  may  the  hour  that  ends  my  sleep 
Still  find  my  thoughts  with  thee. 


(f  02  C-  M-  Mrs-  Steele. 

>  The  same. 

The  man  of  humble,  upright  heart, 

As  his  peculiar  care 
The  Lord  himself  has  set  apart, 

And  when  he  calls  will  hear. 

483 


603  DOMESTIC  AND 

2  With  pious  awe  your  hearts  survey. 

And  ev'ry  sin  repent ; 
Let  true  contrition  close  the  day, 
And  future  guilt  prevent. 

3  Your  sacrifice  the  Lord  will  own 

If  thus  you  seek  his  face, 
Thus  humbly  bow  before  his  throne 
And  trust  his  pard'ning  grace. 


603  C.  M.  Liverpool  Col. 

Hie  same. 

1  Indulgent  God,  whose  bounteous  care 

O'er  all  thy  works  is  shown, 
O  let  my  grateful  praise  and  pray'r 
Ascend  before  thy  throne. 

2  What  mercies  has  this  day  bestowed  ! 

How  largely  hast  thou  blest ! 

My  cup  with  plenty  overnow'd, 

With  cheerfulness  my  breast. 

3  Now  may  sweet  slumbers  close  my  eyes, 

From  pain  and  sickness  free, 
And  let  my  waking  thoughts  arise 
To  meditate  on  thee. 

4  So  bless  each  future  day  and  night 

Till  life's  fond  scene  is  o'er ; 
At  length  to  realms  of  endless  light 
Enraptured  let  me  soar. 

484 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  604,  605 

U04L  C.  M.  Gentleman's  Mag. 

The  same. 

1  See,  the  bright  monarch  of  the  day 

In  ocean  dips  his  beams, 
While  from  his  brow  a  parting  ray 
In  milder  glory  streams. 

2  The  moon,  pale  empress  of  the  night. 

In  sweet  succession  reigns, 
And  finely  paints  with  silver  light 
The  mountains,  vales  and  plains. 

3  The  planets  in  progression  rise 

And  shine  from  pole  to  pole ; 
Their  pleasing  course  delights  our  eyes 
And  charms  th'  attentive  soul. 

4  The  starry  arch  in  grandeur  glows 

Through  all  its  ample  round ; 
Great  God,  thy  pow'r  no  limit  knows 
Thy  wisdom  knows  no  bound. 

605  P-  M-  Doddridge. 

The  same. 

1  Interval  of  grateful  shade, 
Welcome  to  my  weary  head : 
Welcome  slumbers  to  my  eyes, 
Tired  with  glaring  vanities. 

2  My  great  Master  still  allows 
Needful  periods  of  repose ; 

2  q*  485 


606  DOMESTIC  AND 

By  my  heav'nly  Father  blest, 
Thus  I  give  my  pow'rs  to  rest. 

3  Heav'nly  Father,  gracious  name, 
Night  and  day  his  love  the  same ; 
Far  be  each  suspicious  thought, 
Ev'rv  anxious  care  forgot. 

4  Thou,  my  ever-bounteous  God, 
Crown' st  my  days  with  various  good ; 
Thy  kind  eye,  which  cannot  sleep, 
My  defenceless  hours  shall  keep. 

5  "What  if  death  my  sleep  invade, 
Should  I  be  of  death  afraid  ? 
While  encircled  by  thine  arm, 
Death  may  strike  but  cannot  harm. 

6  With  thy  heav'nly  presence  blest, 
Death  is  life,  and  labor  rest; 
Welcome  sleep  or  death  to  me, 
Still  secure,  for  still  with  thee. 

(y()Q  P.  M.  Doddridge. 

Meditations  in  the  Night  Season. 

1  What  though  downy  slumbers  flee, 
Strangers  to  my  couch  and  me ; 
While  with  God's  protection  blest, 
Cares  and  fears  ne'er  haunt  my  breast, 

2  While  the  empress  of  the  night 
Scatters  mild  her  silver  light, 
While  the  vivid  planets  stray 
Various  through  their  mystic  way ; 

486 


PRIVATE  WORSHIP.  606 

3  While  the  stars  unnumber'd  roll 
Round  the  ever  constant  pole, 

•    Far  above  these  spangled  skies 
All  my  soul  to  God  shall  rise : 

4  '  Midst  the  silence  of  the  night, 
Mingling  with  those  angels  bright 
Whose  harmonious  voices  raise 
Ceaseless  love  and  ceaseless  praise  : 

5  'Midst  the  throng,  his  gentle  ear 
Shall  my  grateful  accents  hear ; 
From  on  high  will  he  impart 
Secret  comfort  to  my  heart : 

6  Lifting  all  my  thoughts  above 
On  the  wings  of  faith  and  love. 
Blest  alternative  to  me, 

Thus  to  sleep  or  wake  with  thee, 


APPENDIX. 


TO  PART  I. 

CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP,  AND  THE  LORD'S  DAY. 


60^  S'-M-  Dabney'sCol. 

Invitations  to  the  House  of  God, 

Come  to  the  house  of  pray'r, 
O  thou  afflicted,  come ; 
The  God  of  peace  shall  meet  thee  there. 
He  makes  that  house  his  home. 

Come  to  the  house  of  praise, 
Ye  who  are  happy  now ; 
In  sweet  accord  your  voices  raise, 
In  kindred  homage  bow. 

Ye  aged,  hither  come, 
For  ye  have  felt  his  love ; 
Soon  shall  your  trembling  tongues  be  dumb, 
Your  lips  forget  to  move. 

489 


608  APPENDIX. 

4  Ye  young,  before  his  throne, 
Come,  bow ;  your  voices  raise ; 

Let  not  your  hearts  his  praise  disown 
Who  gives  the  pow'r  to  praise. 

5  Thou  whose  benignant  eye 
In  mercy  looks  on  all, 

Who  see'st  the  tear  of  misery 
And  hear'st  the  mourner's  call ; 

6  Up  to  thy  dwelling  place 
Bear  our  frail  spirits  on, 

Till  they  outstrip  time's  tardy  pace, 
And  heav'n  on  earth  be  won. 


©®§  P.  M.  Dabxey's  Col. 

Engagedness  in  Devotion. 

1  Lord,  before  thy  presence  come, 
Bow  we  down  with  holy  fear ; 
Call  our  erring  footsteps  home, 
Let  us  feel  that  thou  art  near. 

2  Wand 'ring  thoughts  and  languid  pow'rs 
Come  not  where  devotion  kneels ; 

Let  the  soul  expand  her  stores, 
Glowing  with  the  joy  she  feels. 

3  At  the  portals  of  thine  house 
We  resign  our  earth-born  cares ; 
Nobler  thoughts  our  souls  engross, 
Songs  of  praise  and  fervent  pray'rs. 

4  Hapless  men,  whose  footsteps  stray 
From  the  temples  of  the  Lord ; 

490 


CHRISTIAN  WORSHIP.  609 

Teach  them  wisdom's  heav'nly  way; 
To  their  feet  thy  light  afford. 

5  Now  begin  the  glorious  song, 
Theme  of  wonder,  love  and  joy ; 
Angels,  the  glad  notes  prolong ; 
Seraphs,  'tis  your  blest  employ. 


609  L- M-  F- 

For  the  Commencement  of  Public  Worship. 

1  Here  in  thy  temple,  Lord,  we  bow ; 
To  thee  our  feeble  thoughts  would  rise ; 
O  grant  that  we  may  bring  thee  now 

A  pure  and  holy  sacrifice. 

2  What  is  the  world,  that  it  should  share 
Hearts  which  belong  to  God  alone  ? 
What  are  the  idols  reigning  there, 
Compared  with  thee,  Almighty  One  ? 

3  Fountain  of  living  waters,  we 

To  earthly  springs  would  stoop  no  more ; 
Athirst,  we  humbly  turn  to  thee ; 
Into  our  hearts  thy  spirit  pour — 

4  The  spirit  of  thy  boundless  love, 
The  spirit  of  thy  truth  and  peace ; 
Come,  blessed  spirit,  from  above, 
And  every  earth-bound  soul  release. 

491 


610  APPENDIX. 

TO  PART  VIII. 

CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY. 


610  c-  M.  Exeter  Col. 

The  Gospel  a  Glorious  Light, 

1  The  gospel,  like  another  sun, 

Shines  with  a  glorious  ray ; 
Chasing  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
It  spreads  the  moral  day. 

2  What  blessed  truths  this  book  reveals, 

What  hope  its  pages  give ! 
Pardon  and  peace  the  gospel  brings, 
And  bids  the  sinner  live. 

3  Purer  than  silver  most  refined 

Its  holy  precepts  shine ; 
The  promises  most  precious  are, 
Th'  examples  are  divine. 

4  The  Father's  grace,  the  Saviour's  love, 

Adorn  the  sacred  page ; 
Our  youth  it  guides,  and  well  supports 
The  feeble  steps  of  age. 

5  Immortal  life  it  brings  to  light, 

A  life  of  perfect  joy, 
Pleasures  refined  which  always  charm, 
Delights  that  never  cloy. 

492 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.      611,  612 

Thy  gospel,  Lord,  demands  our  praise, 

For  this  thy  name  we  bless ; 
O  may  our  hearts  as  well  as  tongues 

Its  glorious  pow'r  confess. 


gJJ  C.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Salvation. 

1  Salvation  !  O  the  joyful  sound, 

'Tis  music  to  our  ears, 
A  sovereign  balm  for  every  wound, 
A  cordial  for  our  fears. 

2  Salvation  !  O  the  pow'r  and  grace 

That  here  triumphant  reign, 
To  raise  from  death  our  sinful  race 
To  life  and  God  again. 

3  Salvation  !  let  the  echo  fly 

The  spacious  earth  around, 
And  all  the  arches  of  the  sky 
Send  back  the  noble  sound. 


612  S.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

By  Grace  we  are  Saved. 

Grace  !  'tis  a  pleasing  sound, 
Harmonious  to  the  ear ; 
Heav'n  with  the  echo  shall  resound 
And  all  the  earth  shall  hear. 

Grace  first  contrived  the  way 
To  rescue  sinful  man, 

2R  493 


613  APPENDIX. 

And  all  the  steps  that  grace  display 
Which  drew  the  wondrous  plan. 

3  Grace  shows  our  wand'ring  feet 
The  true,  the  heav'nly  road, 

And  fresh  supplies  each  hour  we  meet 
"While  pressing  on  to  God. 

4  Grace  all  the  work  shall  crown 
Through  everlasting  days ; 

In  heav'n  it  leads  the  spirit  on, 
And  claims  unceasing  praise. 

g  J«J  S.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

The  Hope  of  Mercy. 

1  Raise  your  triumphant  songs 
To  an  immortal  tune ; 

Let  the  whole  earth  resound  the  deeds 
Celestial  grace  hath  done. 

2  Sinor  how  Eternal  love 
Its  well-beloved  chose, 

And  bade  him  raise  our  sinful  race 
From  an  abyss  of  woes. 

3  Pardon  and  peace  from  heav'n 
Jesus  proclaims  abroad, 

And  brings  to  erring,  guilty  man, 
Sure  mercy  from  his  God. 

4  Now,  sinners,  dry  your  tears, 
Let  hopeless  sorrows  cease ; 

Grateful  accept  your  Father's  love, 
And  take  the  offer 'd  peace. 

494 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  614 

gjzj.  P.  M.  Drummond. 

Praise  for  the  Gospel. 

1  Give  thanks  to  God  the  Lord, 
The  victory  is  ours, 

And  sin  is  overcome 

By  Christ's  triumphant  pow'rs. 

The  monster  now 

In  chains  is  bound, 

And  Death  has  felt 

His  mortal  wound. 

2  Oppress'd  by  guilt  and  woe, 
The  world  in  darkness  lay, 
Till  Christ  on  earth  appear'd, 
Then  all  was  boundless  day. 

With  terror  struck, 
The  host  of  night 
Fled  in  despair 
To  shun  the  light. 

3  Now  o'er  the  vanquish'd  tomb 
Behold  the  trophy  blaze, 
The  banner  of  the  Cross, 
That  pours  its  streaming  rays 

To  mark  the  path 
Where  Jesus  trod, 
And  upward  guide 
Our  steps  to  God. 

4  Give  thanks  to  God  the  Lord, 
The  victory  is  won, 

And  up  the  path  to  heav'n 
Our  march  is  now  begun. 

495 


615,  616  APPENDIX. 

The  hymn  of  joy 
Exulting  raise, 
And  shout  aloud 
The  Saviour's  praise. 

615  P.  M.  Exeter  Col. 
The  Gospel  Jubilee. 

1  Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow 
The  gladly  solemn  sound ; 
Let  all  the  nations  know, 
To  earth's  remotest  bound, 

The  year  of  jubilee  is  come, 
Return,  ye  wand'ring  sinners,  home. 

2  Behold  the  Son  of  God, 
Commissioned  from  above, 
To  all  the  human  race 
The  messenger  of  love ; 

The  year  of  jubilee  is  come, 
Return,  ye  contrite  sinners,  home. 

3  The  gospel  trumpet  sounds ; 
Let  all  the  nations  hear, 
And  earth's  remotest  bounds 
Before  the  throne  appear : 

The  year  of  jubilee  is  come, 
Return,  ye  pardon'd  sinners,  home. 

616  P-  M-  Renshaw  St.  Col. 
Birth  of  Christ. 

1   O  let  your  mingling  voices  rise 
In  grateful  rapture  to  the  skies, 
And  hail  a  Saviour's  birth  ; 

496 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  617 

Let  songs  of  joy  the  day  proclaim 
When  Jesus  all  triumphant  came 
To  bless  the  sons  of  earth. 

2  He  came  to  bid  the  weary  rest, 

To  heal  the  sinner's  wounded  breast, 

To  bind  the  broken  heart, 
To  spread  the  light  of  truth  around, 
And  to  the  world's  remotest  bound 

The  heav'nly  gift  impart. 

3  He  came  our  trembling  souls  to  save 
From  sin  and  sorrow  and  the  grave. 

And  chase  our  fears  away ; 
Victorious  over  death  and  time, 
To  lead  us  to  a  happier  clime 

Where  reigns  eternal  day. 

4  Then  let  your  mingling  voices  rise 
In  grateful  rapture  to  the  skies, 

And  hail  a  Saviour's  birth ; 
Let  songs  of  joy  the  day  proclaim 
When  Jesus  all  triumphant  came 

To  bless  the  sons  of  earth. 


617  L.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Divine  Love  in  the  Gospel. 

To  thee  my  heart,  eternal  King, 
Would  now  its  thankful  tribute  bring; 
To  thee  its  humble  homage  raise 
In  songs  of  ardent,  grateful  praise. 

2  r*  497 


618  APPENDIX. 

2  All  nature  shows  thy  boundless  love, 
In  worlds  below,  in  worlds  above, 
But  in  thy  blessed  word  I  trace 
The  richer  glories  of  thy  grace. 

3  There  what  delightful  truths  are  given ! 
There  Jesus  shows  the  way  to  heav'n ; 
His  voice  salutes  my  list'ning  ear, 
Revives  my  heart  and  checks  my  fear. 

4  There  Jesus  bids  our  sorrows  cease, 
And  gives  the  lab'ring  conscience  peace, 
Raises  our  grateful  feelings  high, 

And  points  to  mansions  in  the  sky. 

5  For  love  like  this  O  may  my  song 
Through  endless  years  thy  praise  prolong, 
And  distant  climes  thy  name  adore 

Till  time  and  nature  are  no  more. 

61S  L.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Praise  for  the  Salvation  through  Jesus. 

1  To  God,  of  ev'ry  good  the  Spring, 
The  tribute  of  your  praises  bring, 

For  grace  and  truth  through  Jesus  given, 
Mercy  and  peace  and  hopes  of  heav'n. 

2  Grateful  the  joyous  news  proclaim, 
Salvation  is  in  Jesus'  name ; 
Salvation  !  shout  the  glorious  sound, 
Proclaim  it  to  the  world  around. 

3  Tell  every  fearful,  trembling  soul 

The  word  of  Christ  will  make  him  whole ; 

498 


CHRIST  AND  CHRISTIANITY.  618 

Invite  the  weary  poor  to  come ; 
At  Jesus'  feast  there  still  is  room. 

4  Jesus,  that  name  shall  calm  their  fears, 
Dispel  their  doubts  and  dry  their  tears, 
Give  ease  to  ev'ry  throbbing  breast, 
And  to  the  weary  mourner  rest. 

5  Jesus,  our  Prophet,  Saviour,  King ; 
For  Jesus,  grateful  praise  we  bring 

To  thee  from  whom  his  blessings  now'd. 
To  thee,  our  Father  and  our  God. 


619  APPENDIX. 

TO  PART  IX. 

PENITENTIAL. 


©]$)  S.  M.  Drummond. 

A  Call  to  Repentance. 

"  Together  let  us  plead, 
O  sinner,"  saith  the  Lord,    • 
"  Give  to  the  voice  of  wisdom  heed, 
And  trust  my  faithful  word." 

"  Like  scarlet  though  they  glow, 
Or  like  the  crimson  bright, 
Your  sins  shall  soon  be  pure  as  snow, 
As  fleecy  vesture  white." 

By  penitence  and  pray'r 
The  wondrous  change  is  wrought ; 
They  soothe  the  pangs  of  deep  despair 
And  heal  the  wounded  thought. 

Bathed  in  the  hallo w'd  dews 
Of  penitential  tears, 
The  soul  her  health  and  strength  renews, 
And  bright  in  heav'n  appears  : 

There  all  the  heawnly  host 
With  acclamations  high 
From  death  her  glad  recovery  boast, 
And  welcome  to  the  sky. 

500 


PENITENTIAL.  620 

620  P-  M-  JoHN  Taylor. 

Penitence. 

1  God  of  mercy,  God  of  love, 
Hear  our  sad,  repentant  song ; 
Sorrow  dwells  on  ev'ry  face, 
Penitence  on  ev'ry  tongue. 

2  Deep  regret  for  follies  past, 
Talents  wasted,  time  misspent, 
Hearts  debased  by  worldly  cares, 
Thankless  for  the  blessings  lent. 

3  Foolish  fears  and  fond  desires, 
Vain  regrets  for  things  as  vain,  • 
Lips  too  seldom  taught  to  praise, 
Oft  to  murmur  and  complain. 

4  These  and  ev'ry  secret  fault 

Fill'd  with  grief  and  shame  we  own, 
Humbled  at  thy  feet  we  lie, 
Seeking  pardon  from  thy  throne. 

5  God  of  mercy,  God  of  grace, 
Hear  our  sad  repentant  songs ; 
O  restore,  thy  suppliant  race, 
Thou  to  whom  all  praise  belongs, 

501 


621  APPENDIX. 

TO  PART  X. 

DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS  AND  GOOD  RESOLUTIONS. 


621  C-  M-  Exeter  Col. 

Supplication  for  Spiritual  Blessings. 

1  Father  of  all,  whose  cares  extend 

To  earth's  remotest  shore, 
Through  ev'ry  age  let  praise  ascend, 
Let  ev'ry  clime  adore. 

2  What  conscience  dictates  to  be  done 

Or  warns  me  not  to  do, 
This  teach  me  more  than  death  to  shun, 
That  more  than  life  pursue. 

3  If  I  am  right,  thy  grace  impart 

Still  in  the  right  to  stay ; 
If  I  am  wrong,  O  teach  my  heart 
To  find  the  better  way. 

4  Teach  me  to  feel  another's  woe, 

To  hide  the  faults  I  see ; 

That  mercy  I  to  others  show, 

That  mercy  show  to  me. 

5  Save  me  alike  from  foolish  pride 

Or  impious  discontent, 
At  aught  thy  wisdom  hath  denied 
Or  aught  thy  goodness  lent. 

502 


DEVOUT  AFFECTIONS,  ETC.  621 

6  This  day  be  bread  and  peace  my  lot ; 

All  else  beneath  the  sun 
Thou  know'st  if  best  bestow' d  or  not, 
And  let  thy  will  be  done. 

7  To  thee,  whose  temple  is  all  space, 

Whose  altar  earth,  sea,  skies, 
One  chorus  let  all  beings  raise, 
All  nature's  incense  rise. 


622  APPENDIX. 

TO  PART  XII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 


622  C*  M#  Mrs*  Barbaijld- 

Christian  Charity. 

1  Behold  where  breathing  love  divine, 

Our  dying  master  stands ; 
His  weeping  foll'wers  gathering  round, 
Receive  his  last  commands. 

2  From  that  mild  teacher's  parting  lips 

What  tender  accents  fell ! 
The  gentle  precept  which  he  gave 
Became  its  author  well. 

3  Blest  is  the  man  whose  soft'ning  heart 

Feels  all  another's  pain, 
To  whom  the  supplicating  eye 
Was  never  raised  in  vain  : 

4  Whose  breast  expands  with  gen'rous  warmth 

A  stranger's  woe  to  feel, 
And  bleeds  in  pity  o'er  the  wound 
He  wants  the  pow'r  to  heal. 

5  He  spreads  his  kind  supporting  arms 

To  ev'ry  child  of  grief : 
His  secret  bounty  largely  flows, 
And  brings  unask'd  relief. 

501 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  623 

6  To  gentle  offices  of  love 

His  feet  are  never  slow  ; 
He  views  through  mercy's  melting  eye 
A  brother  in  a  foe. 

7  Peace  from  the  bosom  of  his  God, 

My  peace  to  him  I  give ; 
And  when  he  kneels  before  the  throne 
His  trembling  soul  shall  live. 

8  To  him  protection  shall  be  shown, 

And  mercy  from  above 
Descend  on  those  who  thus  fulfil 
The  perfect  law  of  love. 

623  C.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Christian^  Purity. 

1  From  every  thought  and  wish  impure, 

Great  God,  preserve  my  soul ; 
May  ev'ry  rebel  passion  bow 
To  thy  divine  control. 

2  Sin  has  a  thousands  treach'rous  arts 

To  lead  the  soul  aside ; 
O  teach  me  every  art  to  shun, 
And  be  my  constant  guide. 

3  Ne'er  let  me  venture  to  begin 

The  gay,  enchanted  round, 
Where  in  a  thoughtless,  guilty  maze 
The  slaves  of  sin  are  found. 

4  O  grant  me  thine  assisting  grace 

Where'er  I'm  call'd  to  go ; 

2  S  505 


624 


APPENDIX. 


Upheld  by  thee  my  cautious  feet 
The  paths  of  peace  shall  know. 

5  Through  all  the  clangorous  scenes  of  life 
Deign,  Lord,  my  way  to  trace; 
And  after  death  may  I  behold 


10 


With  joy  thy  holy  face. 


C-fiJI 


(524:  ^.  M*  Gregg,  altered. 

Not  Jlshamed  of  Jesus. 

1  Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 

A  mortal  man  ashamed  of  thee  ? 
Ashamed  of  thee,  God's  only  Son, 
The  promised  and  anointed  one  ! 

2  Ashamed  of  Jesus  !  sooner  far 
Let  ev'ning  blush  to  own  her  star ; 
He  sheds  the  beams  of  liodit  divine 
O'er  this  benighted  soul  of  mine. 

3  Ashamed  of  Jesus  !  just  as  soon 
Might  midnight  be  ashamed  of  noon ; 
'Twas  midnight  with  the  world  till  he, 
Bright  morning  star,  bade  darkness  flee. 

4  Ashamed  of  Jesus  !  that  dear  friend 
On  whom  my  noblest  hopes  depend ; 
No;  when  I  blush  be  this  my  shame, 
That  I  no  more  revere  his  name. 

5  Ashamed  of  thee  !  yes,  I  may  be 
When  I've  no  sins,  blest  Lord,  to  flee, 
No  fears  to  quell,  no  good  to  crave, 
No  tears  to  wipe,  no  soul  to  save. 

506 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.  625 

Till  then  the  cross  with  all  the  shame 
He  bore  for  me  my  love  shall  claim ; 
So  then  at  last  my  boast  shall  be 
That  Christ  is  not  ashamed  of  me. 


625  C  M.  Exeter  Col. 

The  same. 

1  Is  there  on  earth  a  nobler  name 

Than  Jesus  to  be  found  ? 
Who  can  assert  a  higher  claim, 
Or  more  with  truth  abound  ? 

2  The  Son  of  God,  adorn'd  with  grace, 

Commission'd  from  above, 
He  bears  to  our  rebellious  race 
The  messages  of  love. 

3  Behold  his  gentle  spirit  feel 

The  suff' rings  of  mankind, 
And  with  a  word  the  sorrows  heal 
Of  body  and  of  mind. 

4  How  lofty  were  the  truths  he  taught ! 

How  pure  the  life  he  led ! 
And  shall  another  Lord  be  sought, 
And  we  disown  our  Head  ? 

5  Ashamed  of  Jesus,  shall  we  let 

This  precious  Saviour  go, 
And  basely  at  defiance  set 
Him  who  hath  loved  us  so  ? 

6  Forbid  it,  Lord,  nor  let  us  yield 

To  this  unworthy  shame, 

507 


626  APPENDIX. 

But  each  with  holy  courage  fiU'd, 
Rejoice  in  Jesus'  name. 

626  L- M-  New  York  Col- 

Abiding  in  Christ. 

1  From  Christ  my  Lord  shall  I  depart, 
And  raze  his  image  from  my  heart, 
Forsake  the  beams  of  heav'nly  day, 
And  follow  nature's  feeble  ray  ? 

2  Treasures  of  pow'r  and  grace  divine 
United  in  my  Saviour  shine ; 

No  other  name  but  his  is  giv'n 
To  lead  us  to  the  joys  of  heav'n. 

3  True  living  bread  his  hands  bestow, 
Pure  living  waters  round  him  flow ; 
And  shall  I  from  the  fountain  fly, 
And  in  the  parching  desert  die  ? 

4  Words  of  eternal  life  are  stored 
In  the  rich  gospel  of  my  Lord  ; 
Can  I  immortal  hopes  consign 

To  luxury's  gulph  or  mammon's  mine  ? 

5  Forbid  it,  Author  of  my  frame, 

Great  God  from  whom  my  spirit  came ; 
Thy  Son  can  endless  life  bestow ; 
To  whom  but  him  then  should  I  go  ? 

508 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER.        627,  623 


02^  C-  M-  Dabney's  Col. 

The  Examples  of  Jesus  and  his  Faithful  Servants. 

1  Give  me  the  wings  of  faith,  to  rise 

Within  the  veil  and  see 
The  saints  above,  how  great  their  joys, 
How  bright  their  glories  be. 

2  Once  they  were  mourners  here  below, 

Their  eyes  were  dimm'd  with  tears, 
And  hard  they  strove,  as  we  would  now, 
With  sins  and  doubts  and  fears. 

3  And  ask  we,  whence  their  vict'ry  came  ? 

They  with  united  breath 
Ascribe  their  triumph  to  his  name 
Who  burst  the  bands  of  death. 

4  They  mark'd  the  footsteps  that  he  trod, 

His  zeal  inspired  their  breast, 
And  foil' wing  their  triumphant  Lord, 

They  reached  the  promised  rest. 

i 

5  Our  glorious  Leader  claims  our  praise 

For  his  own  pattern  giv'n, 
While  the  long  cloud  of  witnesses 
Show  the  same  path  to  heav'n. 

(}2g  L.  M.  Scott. 

Christian  Privileges  and  Obligations. 

1  How  many  millions  draw  their  breath 
In  lands  of  ignorance  and  death, 

2  s*  509 


628  APPENDIX. 

While  God  allots  my  share  of  time 
Within  his  gospel's  favor'd  clime  ! 

2  Shall  I  receive  this  grace  in  vain, 
Shall  I  my  great  vocation  stain  ? 
Away,  ye  works  in  darkness  wrought ; 
Away,  each  sensual,  earthly  thought. 

3  My  soul,  I  charge  thee  to  excel 
In  thinking  right  and  acting  well ; 
Deep  let  thy  searching  pow'rs  engage 
Unbiass'd  in  the  sacred  page. 

4  Heighten  the  force  of  good  desire ; 
To  deeds  of  shining  worth  aspire ; 
More  firm  in  fortitude,  despise 
The  world's  seducing  vanities. 

5  Strong  and  more  strong  thy  passions  rule, 
Advancing  still  in  virtue's  school, 
Contending  still  with  noble  strife 

To  imitate  thy  Saviour's  life. 

510 


LIFE,  DEATH,  ETC.  629 

TO  PART  XIV. 


LIFE,  DEATH,  JUDGMENT,  AND  A  FUTURE  STATE. 


629  C*  M'  Exeter  Col. 

Tlie  Last  Account, 

1  The  time  draws  near  when  thou,  my  soul. 

Thy  last  account  must  give, 
When  thy  whole  life  shall  be  survey'd 
By  him  who  bade  thee  live. 

2  How  many  talents,  O  my  God, 

Hast  thou  bestow' d  on  me  ! 
But  yet  how  few  can  there  be  found 
Devoted,  Lord,  to  thee ! 

3  My  health,  my  time,  my  worldly  store 

And  thy  more  precious  word 
The  talents  are  for  which  I  must 
Account  to  thee,  my  Lord. 

4  Much  of  my  time,  alas,  I've  lost, 

And  much  have  I  misspent ; 
How  careless  of  my  grand  concern  ! 
On  trifles  how  intent ! 

5  O  may  the  slothful  servant's  doom 

My  holy  care  excite ; 
Each  talent  may  I  well  improve 
And  in  thy  work  delight. 

511 


630  APPENDIX. 

630  C-  M-  p-  Houghton. 

The  Re-union  of  the  Virtuous  after  Death. 

1  Blest  hour,   when  virtuous  friends  shall 

meet, 
Their  earthly  sorrows  o'er, 
And  with  celestial  welcome  greet 
On  an  immortal  shore. 

2  The  parent  finds"  his  long-lost  child, 

Brothers  on  brothers  gaze  ; 
The  tear  of  resignation  mild 
Is  changed  to  joy  and  praise. 

3  Each  tender  tie  dissolved  with  pain 

With  endless  bliss  is  crown' d ; 
All  that  was  dead  revives  again, 
All  that  was  lost  is  found. 

4  And  while  remembrance,  ling'ring  still, 

Draws  joy  from  sorrowing  hours, 
New  prospects  rise,  new  pleasures  fill 
The  soul's  expanding  pow'rs. 

5 '  Congenial  minds,  arrayed  in  light, 
High  thoughts  shall  interchange, 
Nor  cease  with  ever-new  delight 
On  wings  of  love  to  range. 

6  Their  Father  marks  the  gen'rous  flame. 
And  looks  complacent  down  ; 
The  smile  that  owns  their  filial  claim 
Is  their  immortal  crown. 

512 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.        631 

TO  PART  XV. 

PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS. 


gf}l  L.  M.  Dabney's  Col. 

Jesus  Christ  the  Image  of  the  Unseen  God, 

1  Thou,  Lord,  by  mortal  eyes  unseen, 
And  by  thine  offspring  here  unknown, 
To  manifest  thyself  to  men 

Hast  set  thine  image  in  thy  Son. 

2  As  the  bright  sun's  meridian  blaze 
O'erwhelms  and  pains  our  feeble  sight, 
But  cheers  us  with  his  softer  rays 
When  shining  with  reflected  light, 

3  So  in  thy  Son  thy  pow'r  divine, 
Thy  wisdom,  justice,  truth  and  love, 
With  mild  and  pleasing  lustre  shine, 
Reflected  from  thy  throne  above. 

4  Though  they  who  granted  not  his  claim 
Contemptuous  tum'd  away  their  face, 
Yet  those  who  trusted  in  his  name 
Beheld  in  him  thy  truth  and  grace. 

5  O  thou,  at  whose  almighty  word 
Fair  light  at  first  from  darkness  shone, 
Teach  us  to  know  our  glorious  Lord, 
And  trace  the  Father  in  the  Son. 

513 


632,  633  appendix. 

6  While  we  thine  image  there  display' d, 
With  love  and  admiration  view, 
Form  us  in  likeness  to  our  Head, 
That  we  may  bear  thine  image  too. 

@32  L.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Contemplation  of  the  Character  of  Jesus. 

1  With  warm  delight  and  grateful  joy 
Let  all  our  best  affections  move, 

When  we  on  Christ  our  thoughts  employ, 
On  him  whom  though  unseen  we  love. 

2  How  bright  a  pattern  and  how  pure 
Hath  he  in  all  things  kindly  given 
To  make  our  path  of  duty  sure, 

And  guide  our  wand'ring  steps  to  heav'n  ! 

3  In  all  he  did  with  joy  we  view 
The  lofty  purpose  of  his  soul ; 
Man's  earth-born  passions  to  subdue, 
And  all  the  pow'r  of  sin  control. 

4  Father  of  all,  his  God  and  ours, 
Accept  the  humble,  fervent  praise, 
Which  with  our  souls'  united  pow'r s 
For  thy  rich  grace  through  him  we  raise. 

gg«5  L.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

See  how  he  loved! 

1   "  See  how  he  loved  !"  exclaim'd  the  Jews, 
When  Jesus  over  Laz'rus  wept; 
My  grateful  heart  the  words  shall  use 
While  on  his  life  my  eye  is  kept. 

514 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  634 

2  See  how  he  loved  who  travell'd  on 
Teaching  the  doctrine  from  the  skies, 
Who  bade  disease  anal  pain  begone, ' 
And  called  the  sleeping  dead  to  rise. 

3  See  how  he  loved  who  never  shrank 
From  toil  or  danger,  pain  or  death, 
But  all  the  cup  of  sorrow  drank, 
And  meekly  yielded  np  his  breath. 

4  And  shall  such  love  meet  no  return, 
Nor  wake  the  passions  of  the  breast  ? 
Shall  not  our  grateful  bosoms  burn 
To  prove  our  love  by  every  test  ? 

5  Yes,  we  will  love  thee,  Saviour,  Guide, 
For  thou  hast  loved  us — O  how  well, 
More  than  all  earthly  friends  beside, 
More  than  our  feeble  lips  can  tell. 

H34  C.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Reflections  on  the  Death  of  Jesus. 

1  With  warm  affection  let  us  view, 

With  pious  grief  improve, 
The  solemn  and  impressive  scene 
Of  Jesus'  dying  love. 

2  Not  all  the  malice  of  his  foes 

His  pity  could  subdue ; 
"  Father,  forgive,"  he  meekly  pray'd, 
"  They  know  not  what  they  do." 

3  O  what  a  love  was  here  display'd, 

Beyond  our  utmost  thought ! 

515 


635  APPENDIX. 

How  pure  the  lessons,  how  sublime, 
In  life  and  death  he  taught ! 

4  Let  not  his  sacred  truths  by  us 
Be  lost  or  misapplied, 
Nor  let  our  thoughtless  hearts  forget 
That  'twas  for  us  he  died. 


g3l>  L-  M*  Drummond. 

The  Memory  of  Jesas. 

1  Yes,  long  as  mem'ry  to  my  brain 

Recalls  a  feature  of  the  past, 
There  shall  my  Saviour's  image  reign, 
And  of  its  treasures  be  the  last. 

2  O  holy  feast,  for  grosser  sense 

Ordain'd  not,  sweet  refreshment  give, 
And  that  pure  nutriment  dispense 

On  which  my  faith  and  hope  may  live. 

3  This  bread,  as  manna  from  the  sky, 

O  may  it  feed  my  hungry  soul, 
And  health  and  strength  and  speed  supply 
To  run  to  virtue's  heav'nly  goal. 

4  And  may  this  emblem  of  his  blood, 

The  cheering  fruitage  of  the  vine, 
Send  to  my  heart  a  thrilling  flood 
Of  love,  of  joy  and  grace  divine. 

5  And  may  this  heart  ne'er  cease  to  glow 

With  rapt  devotion,  God,  to  thee ; 
And  all  the  gratitude  I  owe 

To  him  who  gave  his  life  for  me. 

516 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  636 

6  If  I  forget  thee,  blessed  Lord, 

O  may  my  hand  forget  her  skill, 
Nor  longer  may  my  voice  accord 
To  be  the  herald  of  my  will. 

7  But  may  each  pow'r  its  task  forego, 

Be  all  my  bosom's  chords  unstrung, 
Extinct  my  spirit's  vivid  glow, 

And  bound  in  frozen  sleep  my  tongue. 


686  C.  M.  New  York  Col. 

The  same. 

1  O  God,  accept  the  sacred  hour 

Which  we  to  thee  have  giv'n, 
And  let  this  hallow'd  scene  have  pow'r 
To  raise  our  souls  to  heaven. 

2  Still  let  us  hold  till  life  departs 

The  precepts  of  thy  Son, 
Nor  let  our  thoughtless,  thankless  hearts 
Forget  what  he  has  done. 

3  His  true  disciples  may  we  live, 

From  all  corruption  free, 
And  humbly  learn  like  him  to  give 
Our  pow'rs,  our  wills  to  thee. 

4  And  oft  along  life's  dang'rous  way 

To  smooth  our  passage  through, 
Wilt  thou  on  this  thy  holy  day 
For  us  this  scene  renew. 

2T  517 


637, 638  appendix. 


637  C.  M  Liverpool  Col. 

The  same. 

1  O  here,  if  ever,  God  of  love, 

Let  strife  and  hatred  cease, 
And  ev'ry  heart  harmonious  move, 
And  ev'ry  thought  be  peace. 

2  Not  here,  where  met  to  think  on  him 

Whose  latest  thoughts  were  ours, 
Shall  mortal  passions  come  to  dim 
The  prayer  devotion  pours. 

3  No,  gracious  Master,  not  in  vain 

Thy  life  of  love  hath  been ; 
The  peace  thou  gav'st  may  yet  remain, 
Though  thou  no  more  art  seen. 

4  Thy  kingdom  come;  we  watch,  we  wait 

To  hear  the  cheering  call, 
When  heav'n  shall  ope  its  glorious  gate, 
And  God  be  all  in  all. 

60S  L- M-  ^EW  YoRK  CoL- 

The  sa?ne. 

1  We  sing  thy  mercy,  God  of  love, 
That  sent  the  Saviour  from  above 
To  free  our  race  from  sin  and  woe, 
And  spread  thy  peace  and  truth  below. 

2  We  thank  thee  for  the  words  he  brought, 
We  thank  thee  that  he  lived  and  taught 
Frail  and  imperfect  man  to  be 

In  humble  mode  resembling  thee. 

518 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  639 

3  We  thank  thee  for  thy  gracious  care, 
That  kept  those  sacred  pages  fair 
Through  ev'ry  age,  whose  lines  record 
The  deeds  and  precepts  of  our  Lord. 

4  We  thank  thee  for  this  solemn  rite, 
By  us  repeated  in  thy  sight ; 

O  fill  our  souls  with  bread  divine, 
And  nourish  us  with  heav'nly  wine. 


039  S.  M.  New  York  Col. 

The  same. 

Yes,  to  the  last  command 
We  will  obedient  prove ; 
Around  his  table  will  we  stand 
In  mem'ry  of  his  love. 

His  precious  blood  he  shed 
For  our  unworthy  race, 
While  utt'ring  in  th'  Almighty's  stead 
His  messages  of  grace. 

O  if  our  senseless  pride 
His  dying  words  neglect, 
'Tis  we  who  pierce  his  sacred  side, 
And  we  who  God  reject. 

Then  let  us  ever  keep 
This  consecrated  feast, 
'Till  mem'ry  shall  have  sunk  to  sleep 
Or  life  itself  have  ceased. 

519 


640,  641  APPENDIX. 

640  s-  M-  F. 

The  same. 

1  Here  in  the  broken  bread., 
Here  in  the  cup  we  take, 

His  body  and  his  blood  behold 
Who  suffer'd  for  our  sake. 

2  Yes,  that  our  souls  might  live, 
Those  sacred  limbs  were  torn, 

That  blood  was  spilt,  and  pangs  untold 
Were  by  the  Saviour  borne. 

3  O  thou  who  didst  allow 
Thy  Son  to  suffer  thus, 

Father,  wrhat  more  couldst  thou  have  done 
Than  thou  hast  done  for  us. 

4  We  are  persuaded  now 
That  nothing  can  divide 

Thy  children  from  that  boundless  love 
Reveal'd  in  him  who  died — 

5  Who  died  to  make  us  sure 
Of  mercy,  truth  and  peace, 

And  from  the  pow'r  and  pains  of  sin 
To  bring  a  full  release. 

641  S.  M.  F. 

The  same. 
1       O  for  a  prophet's  fire, 
O  for  an  angel's  tongue, 
To  speak  the  mighty  love  of  him 
Who  on  the  cross  was  hung. 

520 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  642 

In  vain  our  hearts  attempt 

In  language  meet  to  tell 
How  through  a  thousand  sorrows  burn'd 

That  flame  unquenchable. 
[ 

Yet  would  we  praise  that  love, 

Beyond  expression  dear ; 
Come,  gather  round  this  table  then, 

And  celebrate  it  here. 

Here  in  the  bread  and  wine 
Your  dying  Saviour  view ; 
Thus  did  he  give  his  body  up, 
And  thus  his  blood  for  you. 

These  symbols  of  his  death, 
O  with  what  pow'r  they  speak  I 
Prophetic  lips  and  angels'  lyres 
Compared  with  these  are  weak. 

And  shall  they  plead  in  vain 
With  our  forgetful  souls  ? 
Forbid  it,  God,  while  through  our  veins 
The  vital  current  rolls. 

642  P.  M.  Exeter  Col. 

Desires  after  Christian  Obedience. 

From  the  table  now  retiring, 
Which  for  us  our  Lord  hath  spread. 
May  our  souls,  refreshment  finding. 
Grow  in  all  things  like  our  Head. 

His  example  by  beholding 
May  our  lives  his  image  bear  ; 

2t*  521 


643  APPENDIX. 

Him  our  Lord  and  Master  calling. 
His  commands  may  we  revere. 

3  Love  to  God  and  man  displaying, 
Walking  steadfast  in  his  way, 
Joy  attend  us  in  believing, 
Peace  from  God  through  endless  day 


643  P.  M.  Dab.vey's  Col. 

Close  of  the  Year. 

While  with  ceaseless  course  the  sun 
Hasted  through  the  closing  year, 
Many  souls  their  race  have  run, 
Never  more  to  meet  us  here. 
Finished  here  probation's  day, 
They  have  done  with  all  below : 
We  a  little  longer  stay, 
But  how  little,  none  can  know. 

As  the  winged  arrow  flies 
Quick  the  destined  mark  to  find, 
As  the  lightning  from  the  skies 
Darts  and  leaves  no  trace  behind, 
So  our  brief  and  transient  days 
Bear  us  down  life's  rapid  stream ; 
Upward,  Lord,  our  spirits  raise ; 
All  below  is  but. a  dream. 

522 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  644 

64UI  L-  M-  Rippon's  Col. 

On  the  Dangerous  Sickness  of  a  Minister. 

1  O  thou,  before  whose  gracious  throne 
We  bow  our  suppliant  spirits  down, 
Thou  know'st  the  anxious  cares  we  feel, 
And  all  our  trembling  lips  would  tell. 

2  Thou  only  canst  assuage  our  grief 
And  give  our  sorrowing  hearts  relief; 
In  mercy  then  thy  servant  spare, 
Nor  turn  aside  thy  people's  pray'r. 

3  Avert  thy  desolating  stroke, 

Nor  smite  the  shepherd  of  the  flock ; 
Restore  him,  sinking  to  the  grave, 
Stretch  out  thine  arm,  make  haste  to  save. 

4  Bound  to  each  soul  by  tender  ties, 
In  ev'ry  heart  his  image  lies ; 
Thy  pitying  aid,  O  God,  impart, 

Nor  rend  him  from  each  bleeding  heart. 

5  But  if  our  supplications  fail, 

And  pray'rs  and  tears  cannot  prevail, 
Be  thou  his  strength,  be  thou  his  stay, 
Support  him  through  the  gloomy  way. 

6  Around  him  may  thine  angels  stand, 
Waiting  the  signal  of  thy  hand 

To  bid  his  happy  spirit  rise 

And  bear  him  to  their  native  skies, 

523 


645  APPENDIX. 

645  P.  M.  Kippis. 

Thanksgiving  for  National  Prosperity. 

1  How  rich  thy  gifts,  Almighty  King  ! 
From  thee  our  public  blessings  spring  : 

The  extended  trade,  the  fruitful  skies, 
The  treasures  liberty  bestows, 
Th'  eternal  joys  the  gospel  shows. 

All  from  thy  boundless  goodness  rise. 

2  Here  commerce  spreads  the  wealthy  store 
Which  pours  from  every  foreign  shore ; 

Science  and  art  their  charms  display ; 
Religion  teaches  us  to  raise 
Our  voices  to  our  Maker's  praise, 

As  truth  and  conscience  point  the  way. 

3  With  grateful  hearts,  with  joyful  tongues 
To  God  we  raise  united  songs ; 

His  pow'r  and  mercy  we  proclaim ; 
This  land  through  ev'ry  age  shall  own 
That  here  the  Lord  has  fix'd  his  throne, 

And  triumph  in  his  mighty  name. 

4  Long  as  the  moon  her  course  shall  run 
Or  man  behold  the  circling  sun, 

O  still  may  God  amidst  us  reignv 
Crown  our  just  counsels  with  success, 
With  peace  and  joy  our  borders  bless, 

And  all  our  sacred  rights  maintain. 

524 


PARTICULAR  OCCASIONS.  646 

646  C.  M.  Rippon's  Col. 

Evening  of  the  Lord's  Day. 

1  Frequent  the  day  of  God  returns 

To  shed  its  quick'ning  beams ; 
And  yet  how  slow  devotion  burns, 
How  languid  are  its  flames ! 

2  Accept  our  faint  attempts  to  love, 

Our  frailties,  Lord,  forgive ; 
We  would  be  like  thy  saints  above, 
And  praise  thee  while  we  live. 

3  Increase,  O  Lord,  our  faith  and  hope, 

And  fit  us  to  ascend 
Where  the  assembly  ne'er  breaks  up, 
The  Sabbath  ne'er  shall  end. 

4  Where  we  shall  breathe  in  heav'nly  air, 

With  heav'nly  lustre  shine ; 
Before  the  throne  of  God  appear, 
And  feast  on  love  divine. 

5  Where  we  in  high  seraphic  strains 

Shall  all  our  pow'rs  employ, 
Delighted  range  th'  ethereal  plains, 
With  never  ending  joy. 

525 


SENTENCES 


AND 


ANTHEMS 


V 


SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS. 


1 

Hear  us,  God  of  our  salvation ; 
Hear  us  with  benign  compassion ; 

O  receive  the  vows  we  pay. 
In  thy  ways,  may  wre  proceeding 
Follow  thee  where  thou  art  leading ; 
In  the  morning,  praise  ascending, 
Or  when  even's  shades  descending, 

Grateful  hymns  our  thanks  proclaim. 

2 

Great  Jehovah,  God  of  Glory, 
Lord  of  lords,  Almighty  King, 

Angels  veil  their  faces  'fore  thee, 
Worlds  on  worlds  thy  praises  sing. 

Mighty  Lord,  accept  our  praise  : 

To  thy  name  hosannas  raise. 

2U  529 


3,  4  SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.  5,  6 

3 

Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord, 
Be  thy  glorious  name  adored ; 
Thou  to  whom  all  praise  belongs, 
Hear  our  prayer,  accept  our  songs. 

4 

How  wondrous  and  great  thy  work,  God  of 

praise ! 
How  just,  King  of  saints,  and  true  are  thy 

ways! 
O  who  shall  not  fear  thee  and  honor  thy  name? 
Thou  only  art  holy,  thou  only  supreme. 

5 

Therefore  with  angels  and  archangels,  and 
all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and  mag- 
nify thy  glorious  name;  evermore  praising 
thee,  and  saying  :  Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  God 
of  Hosts;  Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  the 
majesty  of  thy  glory :  Glory  be  to  thee,  O 
Lord  most  High.     Amen. 

6 

From  the  rising  of  the  sun,  even  unto  the 
going  down  of  the  same,  my  name  shall  be 
great  among  the  Gentiles ;  and  in  every  place 
incense  shall  be  offered  unto  my  name, -and  a 
pure  offering,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

530 


7  SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.  8 

7 

Blessed  is  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord ;  Hosanna  in  the  highest. 

1  Praise  to  thee,  thou  great  Creator, 

Praise  to  thee  from  ev'ry  tongue ; 
Join,  my  soul,  with  ev'ry  creature, 

Join  the  universal  song. 
Joyfully  on  earth  adore  him, 

Till  in  heav'n  we  take  our  place ; 
There  enraptured  fall  before  him, 

Lost  in  wonder,  love  and  praise. 

CHORUS. 

Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord, 
Be  thy  glorious  name  adored : 
Deign  our  humble  songs  to  hear, 
Though  unworthy,  Lord,  thine  ear. 

1  Hail  the  God  of  our  salvation, 

Triumph  in  redeeming  love  : 
Let  us  with  glad  exultation 

Imitate  the  blest  above  : 
For  ten  thousand  blessings  given, 

For  the  hope  of  future  joy, 
Sound  his  praise  through  earth  and  heaven  ; 

Sound  Jehovah's  praise  on  high. 

CHORUS. 

Holy,  &c. 

531 


9,  10      SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.     11,  12 


Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth  ! 
Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  thy  glory.  Ho- 
sanna  in  the  highest. 

10 

Hear  me,  O  Lord;  save  me,  O  God;  O 
Lord  God  of  Hosts,  give  ear;  hear  my  prayer; 

0  Lord,  give  ear  unto  my  cry. 

I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord;  I  will  praise 
thy  holy  name.  I  will  praise  the  name  of 
God  with  a  song.  I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord, 
and  will  magnify  thy  name,  O  Lord.  Praise 
the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  glorify  the  name  of 
the  Lord ;  sing  unto  God,  sing  ye  praises  to 
his  Holy  name.    Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

1  will  praise  thy  holy  name. 

11 

Enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant, 
O  Lord,  for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living 
be  justified. 

12 

Rend  your  heart,  and  not  your  garments, 
and  turn  unto  the  Lord  your  God ;  for  he  is 
gracious  and  merciful,  slow  to  anger,  and  re- 
penteth  him  of  the  evil. 

532 


13        SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.     14,  15 

13 

Bow  down  thine  ear,  O  Lord,  and  hear  thou 
me.  For  daily  I  will  call  on  thee.  And  I  will 
thank  thee,  Lord,  will  thank  thee,  O  my  God ; 
and  I  will  praise  thy  name,  O  Lord,  for  ever- 
more. 


14 

1  When  the  radiant  beams  of  day 
Fade  in  twilight's  shade  away ; 
When  the  vesper  star  serene 
Sweetly,  calmly  bright  is  seen, 

Holy  Father,  hear  our  prayer ; 
Ever,  till  the  world  shall  end, 
May  the  song  to  thee  ascend, 

Holy  Father,  hear  our  prayer. 

2  Surely  as  the  fading  light 
Ushers  in  the  gloom  of  night, 
Will  our  lives,  a  fleeting  day, 
Quickly  fade  and  pass  away ; 

Holy  Father,  hear  our  prayer  ; 
Hear  us,  when  death's  shadows  low'r 
Darkly  o'er  life's  closing  hour : 

Holy  Father,  hear  our  prayer, 

15 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  after  thy 
great  goodness ;  according  to  the  multitude  of 
thy  mercies  do  away  mine  iniquities. 

2  u*  533 


16        SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.        17 

16 

O  be  joyful  in  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands ;  serve 
the  Lord  with  gladness,  and  come  before  his 
presence  with  a  song.  Be  ye  sure  that  the 
Lord  he  is  God ;  it  is  he  that  hath  made  us, 
and  not  we  ourselves ;  we  are  his  people  and 
the  sheep  of  his  pasture.  O  go  your  way  into 
his  gates  with  thanksgiving,  and  into  his  courts 
with  praise ;  be  thankful  unto  him,  and  speak 
good  of  his  name.  For  the  Lord  is  gracious, 
his  mercy  is  everlasting ;  and  his  truth  en- 
dureth  from  generation  to  generation.     Amen. 

17 

1  Come,  ye  disconsolate,  where'er  you  lan- 

guish, 
Come,  at  the  shrine  of  God  fervently  kneel; 
Here  bring  your  wounded  hearts,  here  tell 

your  anguish ; 
Earth  has  no  sorrow  that  heaven  cannot 

heal. 

2  Joy  of  the  comfortless,  light  of  the  straying, 
Hope,  when  all  others  die,  fadeless  and  pure; 

Here  speaks  the  Comforter,  in   God's  name 
saying, 
Earth  has  no  sorrow  that  heaven  cannot 
cure. 

534 


18,  19  SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.  20,  21 

18 

Praise,  O  Sion,  God  thy  Saviour, 
Sing  with  joy  each  tongue  and  nation ; 

O  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Glory,  honor,  adoration, 
Bring  with  joy  each  tongue  and  nation, 

Now  before  the  Almighty's  throne. 
Praise,  O  Sion,  God  thy  Saviour, 
Earth  and  heaven's  great  Creator. 

O  praise  ye  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

19 

1  Come  ye  who  love  the  Lord, 

And  let  your  joys  be  known ; 
Join  in  a  sonsf  with  sweet  accord, 
And  thus  surround  the  throne. 

2  While  with  my  heart  and  tongue 

I  spread  thy  praise  abroad ; 
Accept  the  worship  and  the  song, 
My  Father  and  my  God. 

20 

Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins,  and  blot  out 
all  mine  iniquities. 

21 

Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  medi- 
tation of  my  heart  be  always  acceptable  in 
thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength,  and  my  Re- 
deemer. 

535 


22        SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.     23,  24 

22 

The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit ; 
a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou 
wilt  not  despise. 

23 

The  Lord  is  in  his  holy  temple ;  let  jail  the 
earth  keep  silence  before  him. 

24 

1  Earth  with  her  ten  thousand  flowers, 
Air  with  all  its  beams  and  showers, 
All  around  and  all  above 

Hath  this  record,  "  God  is  Love." 

2  Sounds  among  the  vales  and  hills, 
In  the  woods  and  by  the  rills, 

All  these  songs,  beneath,  above, 
Have  one  burthen,  "  God  is  love." 

3  All  the  charities  that  start 
From  the  fountains  of  the  heart, 
These  are  voices  from  above, 
Sweetly  whisp'ring,  "  God  is  love." 

4  Earth  with  her  ten  thousand  flowers, 
Air  with  all  its  beams  and  showers, 
All  are  voices  from  above, 

Loudly  sounding,  "  God  is  love." 

536 


25  SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS.  26 

25 

Hearken  unto  me,  my  people ;  0  my  na- 
tion, give  ear  unto  me.  All  thy  children  shall 
be  taught  of  God,  and  great  shall  be  the  peace 
of  thy  children.  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the 
poor,  lendeth  unto  the  Lord.  The  Lord  will 
deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble.  Blessed  shall 
he  be  in  the  city,  blessed  shall  he  be  in  the 
field ;  blessed  shall  he  be  when  he  cometh  in, 
blessed  shall  he  be  when  he  goeth  out ;  blessed 
shall  he  be  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

26 

1  Triumphant  Zion,  lift  thy  head 
From  dust  and  darkness  and  the  dead ; 
Though  humbled  long,  awake  at  length, 
And  gird  thee  with  thy  Saviour's  strength. 

2  Put  all  thy  beauteous  garments  on, 
And  let  thy  excellence  be  known ; 
Deck'd  in  the  robes  of  righteousness, 
The  world  thy  glories  shall  confess. 

3  No  more  shall  foes  unclean  invade, 
And  fill  thy  hallow' d  walls  with  dread; 
No  more  shall  hell's  insulting  host 
Their  victory  and  thy  sorrows  boast, 

4  God  from  on  high  has  heard  thy  prayer, 
His  hand  thy  ruins  shall  repair ; 

Nor  will  thy  watchful  Monarch  cease 
To  guard  thee  in  eternal  peace. 

537 


27        SENTENCES  AND  ANTHEMS. 


27 

O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul, 
His  grace  to  thee  proclaim ; 
And  all  that  is  within  me  join 
To  bless  his  holy  name. 

Then  bless  the  Lord  my  soul ; 
Let  all  that  is  within  me  join 
To  praise  his  holy  name. 


CHANTS. 


CHANTS. 


1  Venite  exult  emus. 

1  O  come,  let  us  sing  unto  the  Lord,  let  us 
heartily  rejoice  in  the  strength  of  our  salva- 
tion. 

2  Let  us  come  before  his  presence  with 
thanksgiving,  and  show  ourselves  glad  in  him 
with  psalms. 

3  For  the  Lord  is  a  great  God,  and  a  great 
King  above  all  gods. 

:    4  In  his  hand  are  all  the   corners  of  the 
earth,  and  the  strength  of  the  hills  is  his  also. 

5  The  sea  is  his,  and  he  made  it ;  and  his 
hands  prepared  the  dry  land. 

6  O  come,  let  us  worship,  and  fall  down; 
and  kneel  before  the  Lord  our  Maker. 

7  For  he  is  the  Lord  our  God;  and  we  are 
the  people  of  his  pasture,  and  the  sheep  of  his 
hand. 

8  O  worship  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  ho- 
liness ;  let  the  whole  earth  stand  in  awe  of  him. 

9  For  he  cometh,  for  he  cometh  to  judge 
the  earth;  and  with  righteousness  to  judge  the 
world,  and  the  people  with  his  truth. 

2V  541 


CHANTS.  3,  4 


2  Jubilate  Deo. 

1  0  be  joyful  in  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands; 
serve  the  Lord  with  gladness,  and  come  before 
his  presence  with  a  song. 

2  Be  ye  sure  that  the  Lord  he  is  God ;  it  is 
he  that  hath  made  us,  and  not  we  ourselves ; 
we  are  his  people,  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture. 

3  O  go  your  way  into  his  gates  with  thanks- 
giving, and  into  his  courts  with  praise ;  be 
thankful  unto  him,  and  speak  good  of  his 
name. 

4  For  the  Lord  is  gracious,  his  mercy  is 
everlasting ;  and  his  truth  endureth  from  ge- 
neration to  generation. 


3  Benedictus. 

1  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel ;  for 
he  hath  visited  and  redeemed  his  people ; 

2  And  hath  raised  up  a  mighty  salvation 
for  us,  in  the  house  of  his  servant  David ; 

3  As  he  spake  by  the  mouth  of  his  holy 
prophets,  which  have  been  since  the  world 
began ; 

4  That  we  should  be  saved  from  our  ene- 
mies, and  from  the  hand  of  all  that  hate  us. 


4:  Laudate  Dominum. 

1   O  praise  God  in  his  holiness ;  praise  him 
in  the  firmament  of  his  power. 

542 


CHANTS.  O 

2  Praise  him  in  his  noble  acts ;  praise  him 
according  to  his  excellent  greatness. 

3  Praise  him  in  the  sound  of  the  trumpet ; 
praise  him  upon  the  lute  and  harp. 

4  Praise  him  in  the  cymbals  and  dances ; 
praise  him  upon  the  strings  and  pipe. 

5  Praise  him  upon  the  well  tuned  cymbals; 
praise  him  upon  the  loud  cymbals. 

6  Let  every  thing  that  hath  breath  praise 
the  Lord. 


O  Cant  ate  Domino. 

1  O  sing  unto  the  Lord  a  new  song ;  for  he 
hath  done  marvellous  things. 

2  With  his  own  right  hand,  and  with  his 
holy  arm,  hath  he  gotten  himself  the  victory. 

3  The  Lord  declared  his  salvation;  his 
righteousness  hath  he  openly  showed  in  the 
sight  of  the  heathen. 

4  He  hath  remembered  his  mercy  and  truth 
toward  the  house  of  Israel ;  and  all  the  ends 
of  the  world  have  seen  the  salvation  of  our 
God. 

5  Show  yourselves  joyful  unto  the  Lord,  all 
ye  lands ;  sing,  rejoice  and  give  thanks. 

6  Praise  the  Lord  upon  the  harp ;  sing  to 
the  harp  with  a  psalm  of  thanksgiving. 

7  With  trumpets  also  and  shawms,  O  show 
yourselves  joyful  before  the  Lord  the  King. 

8  Let  the  sea  make  a  noise,  and  all  that 
therein  is,  the  round  world,  and  they  that 
dwell  therein. 

543 


o  CHANTS.  7 

9  Let  the  floods  clap  their  hands,  and  let 
the  hills  be  joyful  together  before  the  Lord  ; 
for  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth. 

10  With  righteousness  shall  he  judge  the 
world,  and  the  people  with  equity. 

G  Bonum  est. 

1  It  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the 
Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  O 
most  Highest; 

2  To  tell  of  thy  loving  kindness  early  in  the 
morning,  and  of  thy  truth  in  the  night  season; 

3  Upon  an  instrument  of  ten  strings,  and 
upon  the  lute ;  upon  a  loud  instrument,  and 
upon  the  harp. 

4  For  thou,  Lord,  hast  made  me  glad 
through  thy  works;  and  I  will  rejoice  in 
giving  praise  for  the  operations  of  thy  hands. 


^  Deus  misereatur. 

1  God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us, 
and  show  us  the  light  of  his  countenance,  and 
be  merciful  unto  us. 

2  That  thy  way  may  be  known  upon  earth, 
thy  saving  health  among  all  nations. 

3  Let  the  people  praise  thee,  O  God ;  yea, 
let  all  the  people  praise  thee. 

4  O  let  the  nations  rejoice  and  be  glad ;  for 
thou  shaft  judge  the  folk  righteously,  and  go- 
vern the  nations  upon  earth. 

544 


8  CHANTS.  9 

5  Let  the  people  praise  thee,  O  God ;  yea, 
let  all  the  people  praise  thee. 

6  Then  shall  the  earth  bring  forth  her  in- 
crease; and  God,  even  our  own  God,  shall 
give  ns  his  blessing. 

7  God  shall  bless  ns ;  and  all  the  ends  of 
the  world  shall  fear  him. 


8  /  will  lift  up  mine  eyes. 

1  I  will  lift  np  mine  eyes  nnto  the  hills, 
from  whence  cometh  my  help. 

2  My  help  cometh  even  from  the  Lord,  who 
hath  made  heaven  and  earth. 

3  He  will  not  suffer  thy  feet  to  be  moved, 
and  he  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  sleep. 

4  Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel  shall  nei- 
ther slumber  nor  sleep. 

5  The  Lord  himself  is  thy  keeper;  the 
Lord  is  thy  defence  upon  thy  right  hand ; 

6  So  that  the  sun  shall  not  burn  thee  by 
day ;  neither  the  moon  by  night. 

7  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all 
evil ;  yea,  it  is  even  he  that  shall  keep  thy 
soul. 

8  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out 
and  thy  coming  in,  from  this  time  forth  for 
evermore. . 


Jf  Benedic  anima  mea. 

1  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul;  and  all  that 
is  within  me  praise  his  holy  name. 

2  v*  545 


10  CHANTS. 

2  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget 
not  all  his  benefits ; 

3  Who  forgiveth  all  thy  sin,  and  healeth  all 
thine  infirmities ; 

4  Who  saveth  thy  life  from  destruction, 
and  crowneth  thee  with  mercy  and  loving 
kindness. 

5  O  praise  the  Lord,  ye  angels  of  his,  ye 
that  excel  in  strength,  ye  that  fulfil  his  com- 
mandment, and  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  his 
words. 

6  O  praise  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  hosts ;  ye- 
servants  of  his  that  do  his  pleasure. 

7  O  speak  good  of  the  Lord,  all  ye  works 
of  his,  in  all  places  of  his  dominion.  Praise 
thou  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

10  Easter  Sunday. 

1  Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us ; 
therefore  let  us  keep  the  feast ; 

2  Not  with  the  old  leaven,  neither  with  the 
leaven  of  malice  and  wickedness ;  but  with  the 
unleavened  bread  of  sincerity  and  truth. 

3  Christ  being  raised  from  the  dead,  dieth 
no  more ;  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over 
him. 

4  For  in  that  he  died,  he  died  unto  sin  once; 
but  in  that  he  liveth,  he  liveth  unto  God. 

5  Likewise  reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be 
dead  indeed  unto  sin ;  but  alive  unto  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

546 


CHANTS.  11 

6  Christ  is  risen  from  the  dead,  and  become 
the  first  fruits*  of  them  that  slept. 

7  For  since  by  man  came  death,  by  mail 
came  also  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

8  For  as  in  Adam  all  die ;  even  so  in  Christ 
shall  all  be  made  alive. 


H  Thanksgiving  Day. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord;  for  it  is  good  to  sing- 
praises  unto  our  God ;  for  it  is  pleasant,  and 
praise  is  comely. 

2  The  Lord  doth  build  up  Jerusalem ;  he 
gathereth  together  the  outcasts  of  Israel. 

3  He  healeth  those  that  are  broken  in  heart, 
and  bindeth  up  their  wounds. 

4  He  coveretli  the  Jieaven  with  clouds,  and 
prepareth  rain  for  the  eartji ;  he  maketh  the 
grass  to  grow  upon  the  mountains. 

5  He  giveth  to  the  beast  his  food,  and  to  the 
young  ravens  which  cry. 

6  Praise  the  Lord,  O  Jerusalem:  Praise  thy 
God,  O  Sion. 

7  For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy 
gates;  he  hath  blessed  thy  children  within 
thee. 

8  He  maketh  peace  in  thy  borders,  and  filleth 
thee  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat, 

547 


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